• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.729-739
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to optimize minimum-energy impulsive spacecraft intercept using genetic algorithms. A mathematical model was established on two-body system based on f and g solution and universal variable to address spacecraft intercept problem for non-coplanar elliptical orbits. This nonlinear problem includes many local optima due to discontinuity and strong nonlinearity. In addition, since it does not provide a closed-form solution, it must be solved using a numerical method. Therefore, the initial guess is that a very sensitive factor is needed to obtain globally optimal values. Genetic algorithms are effective for solving these kinds of optimization problems due to inherent properties of random search algorithms. The main goal of this paper was to find minimum energy solution for orbit transfer problem. The numerical solution using initial values evaluated by the genetic algorithm matched with results of Hohmann transfer. Such optimal solution for unrestricted arbitrary elliptic orbits using universal variables provides flexibility to solve orbit transfer problems.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.902-910
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• 2018

This paper deals with spacecraft intercept problem on non-coplanar elliptical obit considering J2 perturbation. This disturbance addressed in this work is a major factor changing the trajectory of a spacecraft orbiting the Earth. To resolve this issue, a real-time intercept method is proposed. This method is based on the optimization problem which consist of the equation of motion considering spherical earth and impulse, and the optimal solution numerically obtained is set as the direction of the thrust of the interceptor. The position error is resolved by iteratively solving the optimization problem and modifying the direction of thrust of interceptor. The proposed method in this paper is verified by using various numerical examples.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.775-783
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• 2017

In this paper, an impulsive rendezvous problem by using minimum energy of spacecraft in different orbits is addressed. In particular, the orbits considered in this paper are the general orbits including the elliptic orbit, while most of the orbits considered in the literature have been restricted within co-planar or circular orbits. The constraints for solving this optimization problem are the Kepler's equation formulated with the universal variable, and the final position and velocity of two spacecraft. Also, the Lagrange coefficients, sometimes called as f and g solution, are used to describe the orbit transfer. The proposed method technique is demonstrated through numerical simulation by considering the minimum energy, and both the minimum energy and the wait time, respectively. Finally, it is also verified by comparing with the Hohmann transfer known as the minimum energy trajectory. Although a closed-form solution cannot be obtained, it shows that the suggested technique can provide a new insight to solve various orbital transfer problems.