Explicit guidance of drag modulated aeroassisted transfer between elliptical orbitsThis paper presents the complete analysis of the problem of minimum-fuel aeroassisted transfer between coplanar elliptical orbits in the case where the orientation of the final orbit is free for selection in the optimization process. The comparison between the optimal pure propulsive transfer and the idealized aeroassisted transfer, by several passages through the atmosphere, is made. In the case where aeroassisted transfer provides fuel saving, a practical scheme for its realization by one passage is proposed. The maneuver consists of three phases: a deorbit phase for nonzero entry angle, followed by an atmospheric fly-through with variable drag control and completed by a postatmospheric phase. An explicit guidance formula for drag control is derived and it is shown that the required exit speed for ascent to the final orbit can be obtained with a very high degree of accuracy.
Document ID
19840060628
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vinh, N. X. (Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Mease, K. D. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Hanson, J. M. (Analytic Services, Inc. Arlington, VA, United States)
Johannesen, J. R. (Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)