OPTIMAL TWO-IMPULSE INTERPLANETARY TRAJECTORIES: EARTH-VENUS AND EARTH-MARS MISSIONS

Abstract

This work describes several models to design optimal interplanetary trajectories. The transfer problem consists in transferring a space vehicle from a circular low Earth orbit (LEO) to a circular low orbit around a destiny planet (Venus or Mars). Models based on the two-body, four-body, and five-body problems are considered. Also, several versions of the patched-conic approximation are utilized including a detailed version that designs a lunar swing-by maneuver. The results show that the optimal trajectories for Earth-Mars and Earth-Venus missions collide with the Moon if a lunar swing-by maneuver with an unspecified altitude of the closest approach is included in the trajectory design; however, sub-optimal trajectories that do not collide with the Moon exist, presenting a smaller fuel consumption than the trajectories without lunar swing-by and with no greater changes in the time of flight.