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A Rapid Target-Search Technique for KBO Exploration TrajectoriesA rapid, grid-based, target-search algorithm is presented to find candidate se-quences of small-body encounters for mission design. The algorithm is especially relevant for cases with large combinatorial spaces. In this paper, the al-gorithm is used to identify candidate flyby sequences of multiple Kuiper-Belt Ob-jects (KBOs). Before reaching the first KBO in the sequence, the trajectories in this paper first use gravity assists at one or more of the giant planets to pump-uptheir orbital energy—reducing launch C3. The target-search algorithm consists offour sequential steps: (1) parameter definition, (2) fine-tuned Lambert-based gridsearch of ballistic trajectories visiting one KBO, (3) rapid, ∆V-based proximitysearch for additional KBOs using the state transition matrices (STMs), and (4) tra-jectory optimization of the most promising KBO sequences using the EvolutionaryMission Trajectory Generator (EMTG). The paper also defines an empirical-basedprocess to characterize the maximum step size for the target arrival dates in theLambert grid search. Lastly, a candidate mission to two KBOs is presented. Theresults indicate that the ∆V computed from the STM propagations is not repre-sentative of the final ∆V computed in EMTG; however, it does serve as a useful‘reachability’ metric to identify nearby KBOs.
Document ID
20210000939
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Miguel Benayas Penas
(Catholic University of America Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)
Kyle M Hughes
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Bruno V Sarli
(Heliospace Corporation Berkeley, CA)
Donald H Ellison
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Kevin J Cowan
(Delft University of Technology Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands)
Date Acquired
January 27, 2021
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: 31st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, Virtual
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: February 1, 2021
End Date: February 4, 2021
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 432938.09.02.04.43.06.22
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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