Multi-objective transfer to libration-point orbits via the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach

The multi-objective optimization of transfer trajectories from an orbit near Earth to a periodic libration-point orbit in the Sun–Earth system using the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach is investigated in this paper. A two-objective optimization model is proposed based on the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach. The circular restricted three-body model (CRTBP) is utilized to represent the motion of a spacecraft in the gravitational field of the Sun and Earth. The transfer trajectory is broken down into several segments; both low-thrust propulsion and stable manifolds are utilized based on the CRTBP in different segments. The fuel cost, which is generated only by the low-thrust trajectory for transferring the spacecraft from an orbit near Earth to a stable manifold, is minimized. The total flight time, which includes the time during which the spacecraft is controlled by the low-thrust trajectory and the time during which the spacecraft is moving on the stable manifold, is also minimized. Using the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm for the resulting multi-objective optimization problem, highly promising Pareto-optimal solutions for the transfer of the spacecraft are found. Via numerical simulations, it is shown that tradeoffs between time of flight and fuel cost can be quickly evaluated using this approach. Furthermore, for the same time of flight, transfer trajectories based on the mixed-transfer method can save a larger amount of fuel than the low-thrust method alone.     

有限推力多小行星探测轨迹优化

针对任务时长与燃料存在限制的多颗小行星之间顺序探测轨迹优化问题,利用极小值原理,建立了整个探测区间的最优控制问题并使用同伦算法进行求解. 其中将目标飞越、交会等约束作为内点约束,特别地对交会后停留一定时间的约束进行了转换处理,使其成为与交会约束类似的形式;并给出了考虑起始时间可滑动的情形的最优条件. 结果表明,该算法可快速得到整体最优的探测轨迹,可应用于小行星多目标探测的任务设计与轨迹规划中.     

Low-thrust trajectory optimization in a full ephemeris model

The low-thrust trajectory optimization with complicated constraints must be considered in practical engineering. In most literature, this problem is simplified into a two-body model in which the spacecraft is subject to the gravitational force at the center of mass and the spacecraft＇s own electric propulsion only, and the gravity assist （GA） is modeled as an instantaneous velocity increment. This paper presents a method to solve the fuel-optimal problem of low-thrust trajectory with complicated constraints in a full ephemeris model, which is closer to practical engineering conditions. First, it introduces various perturbations, including a third body＇s gravity, the nonspherical perturbation and the solar radiation pressure in a dynamic equation. Second, it builds two types of equivalent inner constraints to describe the GA. At the same time, the present paper applies a series of techniques, such as a homotopic approach, to enhance the possibility of convergence of the global optimal solution.     

木卫停泊轨道间低耗能小推力转移轨道设计方法研究

对木卫停泊轨道间的低耗能小推力转移轨道设计方法进行了研究,提出基于"类halo轨道截面"法的低耗能转移轨道参数化方法和基于配点法的多体Lambert问题求解算法,并利用全局优化算法得出了燃耗最少的初步优化结果;利用多体同伦法和固定近心点高度的多圈转移控制律得到了各段小推力转移轨道的有效设计结果.所提方法同样适用于其他天体间的转移轨道设计,为多体环境下低耗能小推力转移轨道提出了新的设计思路和方法.     

基于偏转距离近似模型的动能撞击小行星防御任务脉冲轨道优化研究

小行星撞击对地球上的生命存在重大潜在威胁,动能撞击是目前最易实现且成熟度最高的防御方案.动能撞击任务的一种轨道优化指标为最大化偏转距离(即小行星被偏转前后近地距的改变量),若用数值积分的方法精确计算偏转距离, 会导致优化效率较低.在动能撞击任务的设计初期, 可以对动力学模型及偏转距离的计算方法进行简化,以提升优化效率. 本文首先将高精度模型简化为二体模型,分析了两种经典偏转距离解析模型的适用条件,同时提出一种基于近地点时刻预估的偏转距离近似模型; 考虑运载约束,将化学推进变轨简化为脉冲推力变轨,建立了直接转移(两脉冲及三脉冲)和行星借力飞行转移(单次及两次借力)的动能撞击轨道优化模型,利用遗传算法求解了优化问题. 以偏转小行星Apophis为例, 相比于解析模型,验证了本文提出的近似模型可以同时提升最优性、降低求解复杂性. 优化结果表明,三脉冲直接转移方案与两脉冲直接转移方案的最优偏转效果基本一致,借力飞行转移方案相比于直接转移方案对偏转距离的提升效果并不明显.在动能撞击任务的前期设计中, 可以基于二体模型进行防御效果的快速评估,虽然对计算偏转距离存在一定误差, 但对防御窗口的优化结果影响不大. 进一步,数值求解偏转距离时, 可通过引入主要引力摄动项(金星、地球、木星)修正二体模型,使其与高精度模型之间的求解误差在1%以下.      

REVIEW ON OPTIMIZATION OF ASTEROID CAPTURE ORBITS

小行星捕获对研究行星起源、地球生命来源、防御小行星撞击地球和开采行星矿产资源具有重要的意义。由于现有的推进器能力不足,小行星捕获任务中优化小行星捕获所需要的速度增量是任务成败的关键。本文分别从利用引力辅助轨道优化、连续小推力轨迹优化、小行星捕获任务轨道优化设计及小行星临时捕获等4 个方向介绍小行星捕获轨道优化方面国内外研究进展及现状。基于对上述研究现状的分析,尝试展望小行星捕获轨道优化研究的未来发展趋势。     

Optimal transfers of spacecraft with bimodal propulsion

An optimization problem for the interplanetary transfer of a spacecraft with bimodal nuclear rocket engine is formulated. The transfer trajectory combines high- and low-thrust phases. The necessary optimality conditions are analyzed. The solution for a 180-day Earth–Mars transfer is presented     

Optimal design of near-Earth asteroid sample-return trajectories in the Sun–Earth–Moon system

In the 6th edition of the Chinese Space Trajectory Design Competition held in 2014, a near-Earth asteroid sample-return trajectory design problem was released, in which the motion of the spacecraft is modeled in multi-body dynamics, considering the gravitational forces of the Sun,Earth, and Moon. It is proposed that an electric-propulsion spacecraft initially parking in a circular 200-km-altitude low Earth orbit is expected to rendezvous with an asteroid and carry as much sample as possible back to the Earth in a10-year time frame. The team from the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences has reported a solution with an asteroid sample mass of 328 tons, which is ranked first in the competition.In this article, we will present our design and optimization methods, primarily including overall analysis, target selection, escape from and capture by the Earth–Moon system,and optimization of impulsive and low-thrust trajectories that are modeled in multi-body dynamics. The orbital resonance concept and lunar gravity assists are considered key techniques employed for trajectory design. The reported solution, preliminarily revealing the feasibility of returning a hundreds-of-tons asteroid or asteroid sample, envisions future space missions relating to near-Earth asteroid exploration.     

FAST OPTIMIZATION METHOD OF REENTRY TRAJECTORY CONSIDERING AERODYNAMIC PARAMETER PERTURBATION

针对传统再入轨迹优化方法收敛速度慢、对初值敏感程度高等的局限性,提出了一种基于序列凸优化的再入轨迹快速求解方法.该方法以倾侧角的变化率作为控制量,改进了现有凸化策略,考虑到抑制数值优化过程中由于数值离散方式带来的锯齿化现象,采用 B 样条曲线离散控制量,同时为避免算法在初始猜想值附近出现伪不可行的问题,增加额外虚拟控制量,通过一种"回溯直线"搜索的方法,提高算法的稳定性、快速性和寻优结果的光滑性.为研究飞行器再入过程中的气动参数扰动问题,采用采样点少、易于实现,计算效率高的广义混沌多项式理论研究方法,建立了基于广义混沌多项式和凸优化相结合的再入轨迹鲁棒优化模型,该模型在优化过程中考虑气动参数扰动对寻优结果的影响作用,避免了传统轨迹与制导律的复杂迭代设计环节,可有效降低优化轨迹对气动参数扰动的敏感程度,在气动参数不确定条件的干扰下,依然可以保证飞行器顺利安全的完成飞行任务.最后,以美国某可重复使用飞行器的再入任务为例,验证了基于序列凸优化的再入轨迹优化方法的快速性以及鲁棒优化模型对气动参数扰动的抗干扰性能力,表明了该方法具有一定的工程应用性.     

考虑气动参数扰动的再入轨迹快速优化方法

针对传统再入轨迹优化方法收敛速度慢、对初值敏感程度高等的局限性,提出了一种基于序列凸优化的再入轨迹快速求解方法.该方法以倾侧角的变化率作为控制量,改进了现有凸化策略,考虑到抑制数值优化过程中由于数值离散方式带来的锯齿化现象,采用 B 样条曲线离散控制量,同时为避免算法在初始猜想值附近出现伪不可行的问题,增加额外虚拟控制量,通过一种"回溯直线"搜索的方法,提高算法的稳定性、快速性和寻优结果的光滑性.为研究飞行器再入过程中的气动参数扰动问题,采用采样点少、易于实现,计算效率高的广义混沌多项式理论研究方法,建立了基于广义混沌多项式和凸优化相结合的再入轨迹鲁棒优化模型,该模型在优化过程中考虑气动参数扰动对寻优结果的影响作用,避免了传统轨迹与制导律的复杂迭代设计环节,可有效降低优化轨迹对气动参数扰动的敏感程度,在气动参数不确定条件的干扰下,依然可以保证飞行器顺利安全的完成飞行任务.最后,以美国某可重复使用飞行器的再入任务为例,验证了基于序列凸优化的再入轨迹优化方法的快速性以及鲁棒优化模型对气动参数扰动的抗干扰性能力,表明了该方法具有一定的工程应用性.      

连续小推力航天器的深空探测轨道优化方法综述

连续小推力作用下航天器的深空探测轨道的优化设计是一个存在大量局部最优解的全局优化问题. 轨道设计流程总体上分为全局优化和局部优化. 全局优化为粗略设计, 通常在对航天器受连续推力作用下的轨道作近似处理的前提下大致确定探测序列和时间节点. 局部优化方法可分为直接法、间接法和混合法. 直接法是将连续的问题离散成一个参数优化问题. 间接法是求解由变分法和极大值原理推导的满足一阶最优必要条件的两点或多点边值问题. 混合法利用间接法推导的方程, 再离散后优化求解. 本文综述当前轨道优化设计领域最新和最常用的方法, 分析各种方法的优缺点.     

基于微分进化算法的深空轨道全局优化设计

针对多目标多任务的深空探测轨道设计问题,提出一种新的将探测目标、探测方式、探测顺序以及发射窗口同时作为优化变量, 并采用微分进化算法进行全局优化的设计方法. 使用该方法在只考虑太阳中心引力作用的二体模型下,基于圆锥曲线拼接法建立第三届全国深空轨道设计竞赛问题的优化模型并进行求解. 最后利用该方法求解ESA的ACT研究团队的深空探测任务算例并对结果进行对比分析. 结果表明, 提出的全局优化设计方法对解决多目标、多任务深空探测轨道优化设计问题是可行和有效的.      

Optimal low-thrust orbital transfers in a central gravity field

The results of studying some problems of optimization of low-thrust transfers between arbitrary elliptic orbits in a Newtonian gravity field are expounded. An approximate solution obtained by the averaging method is presented. Analytical solutions of the averaged equations are given for a wide class of maneuvers. The problem of constructing numerical solutions to the exact equations of motion of a spacecraft between high orbits is discussed __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 41, No. 11, pp. 3–37, November 2005.     

基于星历匹配法的载人小行星探测轨迹优化问题求解

对基于星历匹配法的载人小行星探测轨迹优化问题解法进行了研究. 提出星历匹配法的概念,利用其求出最优发射窗口初值与候选最优探测序列,然后利用遗传算法对特定探测序列的时间节点等参数进行优化,最后利用基于庞德里亚金极大值原理的同伦法进行小推力转化以求得最终探测轨道及其推力控制律. 结果显示星历匹配法可以快速准确地求出最优发射窗口初值与候选探测序列,这大大提高了载人小行星探测等多目标交会探测问题的求解效率.     

On optimization of many-revolution low-thrust orbit transfers: Part 1

The paper proposes a numerical approach to the problem of optimal control of low-thrust spacecraft in a strong central gravity field. The approach employs the solution of the averaged equations of optimal motion. For an optimal variable-thrust maneuver, it is shown that quasioptimal trajectories are close to the averaged ones. It is established that in the case of constant thrust, the averaged solutions can be used as a satisfactory first approximation for finding a quasioptimal solution by minimizing the discrepancy at the right end of the trajectory __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 110–119, July 2008.     

Low-thrust Lambert transfer based on two-stage constant-vector thrust control method

The low-thrust Lambert transfer refers to that the spacecraft achieves the orbital transfer whose boundary conditions are represented by two sets of orbital elements at initial and final time by the low-thrust propulsion system. The modulus and direction of the low-thrust solutions in previous methods change with time, which leads to high control requirements for the engine. In this paper, to reduce the requirements of the engine, a practical two-stage constant-vector thrust control method is proposed, in which the magnitude and direction of the thrust are deemed as segmental constant value in TNH frame, where three components of the thrust are f_t, f_n, and f_h. First, the mathematical model of the two-stage constant-vector thrust is formulated, and a rapid algorithm is presented to obtain the solution based on the linearized sensitivity matrix, which describes the relationship between the constant-vector thrust and the change of the orbital elements approximately. Furthermore, two low-thrust Lambert strategies based on the two-stage constant-vector thrust are presented for cases of short-time transfer and long-time transfer. A sequence of numerical simulations demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed approaches. The proposed control strategies are solved rapidly, and they are also suitable for different types of orbits with J₂ perturbation, which are practical options for engineering applications.

     

近地小行星极短弧定轨的进化算法研究

近地小行星的巡天项目不断涌现, 得到了海量的观测数据.而巡天观测方式使获得的数据弧段过短, 传统方法在定轨和识别上存在极大困难,加之短弧定轨问题本身的病态性,如何有效利用这些短弧数据对于发现、监测和评估小行星的威胁具有重要意义.在进化算法下构建极短弧定轨的计算框架, 选用三变量的$(a,e,M)$优选法,保持维数较低的同时, 使优化结果不再依赖观测量.采用参数较少、操作简便的差分进化算法,利用不同偏心率小行星的轨道模拟数据进行试验,对获得的最优解及其分布聚集区域进行分析, 大偏心率轨道由于其本身的复杂性,会对算法搜索的灵敏度产生影响, 需缩小搜索空间以提高搜索能力.结果表明算法在小偏心率问题中表现较好,可以得到有效结果为后续工作提供参考信息, 大偏心率问题在传统方法失效的情况下,虽然最优解在整体分布中并不明显, 但分布仍包含真实解,可结合分布密度和适值大小进行分析. 未来需要对大偏心率问题作进一步研究,考虑其观测位置和观测时刻对算法产生的影响, 分类计算.      

CFD‐based multi‐objective optimization method for ship design

This paper concerns development and demonstration of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based multi‐objective optimization method for ship design. Three main components of the method, i.e. computer‐aided design (CAD), CFD, and optimizer modules are functionally independent and replaceable. The CAD used in the present study is NAPA system, which is one of the leading CAD systems in ship design. The CFD method is FLOWPACK version 2004d, a Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RaNS) solver developed by the present authors. The CFD method is implemented into a self‐propulsion simulator, where the RaNS solver is coupled with a propeller‐performance program. In addition, a maneuvering simulation model is developed and applied to predict ship maneuverability performance. Two nonlinear optimization algorithms are used in the present study, i.e. the successive quadratic programming and the multi‐objective genetic algorithm, while the former is mainly used to verify the results from the latter. For demonstration of the present method, a multi‐objective optimization problem is formulated where ship propulsion and maneuverability performances are considered. That is, the aim is to simultaneously minimize opposite hydrodynamic performances in design tradeoff. In the following, an overview of the present method is given, and results are presented and discussed for tanker stern optimization problem including detailed verification work on the present numerical schemes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE EVOLUTION CHARACTERIZATION OF LIBRATIN POINT ORBITS AND APPLICATION RESEARCH

三体问题中, 轨道的受力和运动规律非常复杂. 对于特定的任务, 如何选择轨道的初始解是一大难题.针对平面三体问题, 利 用近拱点庞加莱映射, 对平动点顺行轨道和逆行轨道的长期和短期演化性质进行分析.根据轨道的初始状态将其分为逃逸轨道和捕获轨道.对于逃逸轨道, 给出了同宿轨道和异宿轨道的设计方法, 并利用两级微分修正法消除了拼接点处的位置不连续问题.对于捕获轨道, 得到了几类典型的周期和准周期轨道.对逆行轨道的演化性质进行分析时发现, 逆行轨道通常为准周期轨道, 比顺行轨道更加稳定.利用近拱点庞加莱映射可以快速确定不同类型轨道对应的初始状态, 为特定任务需求下的轨道设计提供了一种快速而有效的选择方案.     

Optimal quasi-circular motion of a spacecraft with an energy storage device

The problem of using an energy storage device in spacecraft low-thrust propulsion systems with a constant-power thruster is considered and solved for optimal quasi-circular maneuvers in the near-Earth space. The maximum payload is the optimality criterion. The optimal control as a function of time and the optimal mass parameters of the spacecraft were determined. Domains of the mass parameters where the use of an energy storage device makes sense are shown. T. G. Shevchenko University, Kiev, Ukraine. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 35, No. 10, pp. 93–100, October, 1999.