On the Detection of Energetically Efficient Trajectories for Spacecraft

We propose a new method for the detection of energy-efficient trajectories for spacecraft. Via a so called target-shooting approach a pseudo-orbit between the relevant points in space is constructed in a simple model of the problem. This approximate trajectory is meant to serve as input for a more sophisticated direct method in order to compute a true trajectory in the full model. We demonstrate the applicability of the new method by considering the redesign of part of the trajectory of the NASA/JPL Genesis discovery mission.