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Automated design of gravity-assist trajectories to Mars and the outer planetsIn this paper, a new approach to planetary mission design is described which automates the search for gravity-assist trajectories. This method finds all conic solutions given a range of launch dates, a range of launch energies and a set of target planets. The new design tool is applied to the problems of finding multiple encounter trajectories to the outer planets and Venus gravity-assist trajectories to Mars. The last four-planet grand tour opportunity (until the year 2153) is identified. It requires an earth launch in 1996 and encounters Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Venus gravity-assist trajectories to Mars for the 30 year period 1995-2024 are examined. It is shown that in many cases these trajectories require less launch energy to reach Mars than direct ballistic trajectories.
Document ID
19920048477
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Longuski, James M.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Williams, Steve N.
(Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy
Volume: 52
Issue: 3 19
ISSN: 0923-2958
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
92A31101
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGT-50499
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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