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One of the fundamental problems in spacecraft trajectory design is finding the optimal transfer trajectory that minimizes the propellant consumption and transfer time simultaneously. We formulate this as a multi-objective optimal control…

Systems and Control · Electrical Eng. & Systems 2022-12-15 Nikolaus Vertovec , Sina Ober-Blöbaum , Kostas Margellos

Dynamical structures in the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP) are fundamental for designing low-energy transfers, as they aid in analyzing phase space transport and designing desirable trajectories. One of these dynamical…

Chaotic Dynamics · Physics 2026-05-14 Naoki Hiraiwa , Mai Bando , Yuzuru Sato , Shinji Hokamoto

We present an efficient transcription method for highly oscillatory optimal control problems. For these problems, the optimal state trajectory consists of fast oscillations that change slowly over the time horizon. Out of a large number of…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2022-05-19 Jakob Harzer , Jochem De Schutter , Moritz Diehl

In this paper, Particle Swarm Optimization with energy-to-fuel continuation is proposed for initializing the co-state variables for low-thrust minimum-fuel trajectory optimization problems in the circular restricted three-body problem.…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2023-02-09 Grant R. Hecht , Eleonora M. Botta

This paper presents a novel neighboring extremal approach to establish the neighboring optimal guidance (NOG) strategy for fixed-time low-thrust multi-burn orbital transfer problems. Unlike the classical variational methods which define and…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2016-02-11 Zheng Chen

In this paper, we present the controllability properties of Keplerian motion controlled by low-thrust control systems. The low-thrust control system, compared with high or even impulsive control system, provide a fuel-efficient means to…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2015-05-28 Zheng Chen , Yacine Chitour

In this paper, we present an application of the optimal control theory to orbital transfer of Low Earth Orbit satellites. The optimal control problem is treated with Dynamic Programming techniques which require solving the…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2024-07-23 C. Ciancarelli , R. Ferretti , A. Intelisano , G. Villani

Low-thrust, many-revolution transfers between near-rectilinear halo orbits and low lunar orbits are challenging due to the many-revolutions and is further complicated by three-body perturbation. To address these challenges, we extend hybrid…

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics · Physics 2025-04-11 Kohei Oue , Naoya Ozaki , Toshihiro Chujo

Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are attractive exploration targets due to their accessibility, scientific value, and resources. Although trajectory design has revealed efficient pathways to these bodies, systematic strategies for Earth-NEO…

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics · Physics 2026-03-31 Alessandro Beolchi , Mauro Pontani , Kathleen Howell , Chiara Pozzi , Sean Swei , Elena Fantino

The goal of the present paper is to make a numerical analysis of parametric optimization of low thrust orbital maneuver. An orbital maneuver occurs when it is necessary to modify the orbit a space vehicle to change its function or to…

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics · Physics 2023-07-14 Antonio Fernando Bertachini de Almeida Prado

The Gateway will represent a primary space system useful for the Artemis program, Earth-Moon transportation, and deep space exploration. It is expected to serve as a staging location on the way to the lunar surface. This study focuses on…

Systems and Control · Electrical Eng. & Systems 2024-06-03 Chiara Pozzi , Mauro Pontani , Alessandro Beolchi , Elena Fantino

We design optimal harmonic-trap trajectories to transport cold atoms without final excitation, combining an inverse engineering techniqe based on Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants with optimal control theory. Since actual traps are not really…

Quantum Physics · Physics 2011-11-08 Xi Chen , E. Torrontegui , Dionisis Stefanatos , Jr-Shin Li , J. G. Muga

Primer vector theory using averaged dynamics is well suited for optimizing low-thrust, many-revolution spacecraft trajectories, but is difficult to implement in a way that maintains both optimality and computational efficiency. An improved…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2026-02-19 Noah Lifset

Low-thrust engines for interplanetary spacecraft transfers allow cost-effective space missions with flexible launch and arrival dates. To find fuel-optimal trajectories, an optimal control problem is to be solved. Pontryagin's Maximum…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2023-11-08 Andrea Carlo Morelli , Carmine Giordano , Riccardo Bonalli , Francesco Topputo

Low-thrust trajectory design relies heavily on repeated evaluations of fuel consumption and transfer feasibility, which require expensive optimal control solutions. In this work, we show these quantities can be accurately approximated by…

Machine Learning · Computer Science 2026-05-28 Zhong Zhang , Giacomo Acciarini , Dario Izzo , Hexi Baoyin , Francesco Topputo

In this paper a direct method based on a transcription by finite elements in time has been used to design optimal interplanetary trajectories, exploiting a combination of gravity assist maneuvers and low-thrust propulsion. A multiphase…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2011-05-11 Massimiliano Vasile , Franco Bernelli-Zazzera

The problem of minimum-time, low-thrust, Earth-to-Mars interplanetary orbital trajectory optimization is considered. The minimum-time orbital transfer problem is modeled as a four-phase optimal control problem where the four phases…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2021-04-08 Brittanny V. Holden , Shan He , Anil V. Rao

We present a computational approach for the design of continuous low thrust transfers around an asteroid. These transfers are computed through the use of a reachability set generated on a lower dimensional Poincar\'e surface. Complex, long…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2016-08-22 Shankar Kulumani , Taeyoung Lee

This work focuses on minimum-time low-thrust orbit transfers from a prescribed low Earth orbit to a specified low lunar orbit. The well-established indirect formulation of minimum-time orbit transfers is extended to a multibody dynamical…

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics · Physics 2024-06-04 Alessandro Beolchi , Mauro Pontani , Chiara Pozzi , Elena Fantino

This study proposes a new automated strategy for designing and optimizing three-dimensional interplanetary low-thrust (LT) trajectories. The method formulates the design as a hybrid optimal control problem and solves it using a two-step…

Optimization and Control · Mathematics 2023-09-22 Burhani M. Burhani , Elena Fantino , Roberto Flores , Manuel Sanjurjo-Rivo