Multiple revolution Lunar Trajectory Design using Impulsive Thrust

  • Kang, Hye-Young (Astrodynamics & Control Lab, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University) ;
  • Song, Young-Joo (Astrodynamics & Control Lab, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University) ;
  • Park, Sang-Young (Astrodynamics & Control Lab, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University) ;
  • Choi, Kyu-Hong (Astrodynamics & Control Lab, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University) ;
  • Sim, Eun-Sup (Korea Aerospace Research Institute)
  • Published : 2008.10.22

Abstract

The direct way to the moon is to start from the parking orbit by using impulsive thruster In previous domestic research, the direct way has been studied by using a single impulsive shot. However, when a single impulsive shot occurs to go into a Translunar orbit, gravity losses occur because thruster is not impulsive shot but the finite burns and it causes the gravity losses. To make up for the weak point of a single impulsive shot, this paper divides TLI (Trans Lunar Injection) into several small burns. Therefore, departure loop trajectory and the Translunar trajectory. This method is useful not only to reduce the gravity losses but also to check the condition of satellite. By using this method, this paper demostrates the optimized trajectory from Earth parking orbit to lunar mission orbit which minimizes the fuel, and the SNOPT (Sparse Nonlinear OPTimizer software) is used to find optimal solution. Also, this paper provides lunar mission profile which includes the mission schedule when TLI, LOI (Lunar Orbit Insertion) maneuvers occur, a mount of fuel when thruster is used and other mission parameters.

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