| Silvia Busi |
Research Associate, University of Stuttgart, Institute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. | | Torbjørn Cunis |
Lecturer, University of Stuttgart, Institute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. | | Francesco Topputo |
Professor, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, 20156, Milan, Italy. | | Walter Fichter |
Professor, University of Stuttgart, Institute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany. |
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| Abstract:
This paper focuses on the application of the Covector Mapping Principle (CMP) to low-thrust trajectory optimization problems to analyze the performances of the algorithm when non-complete methods are employed. Non-complete methods are those numerical schemes that do not provide an analytical mapping between the dual variables of direct and indirect approaches. However, since these approaches stem from the same original continuous-time Optimal Control Problem, it is intuitive that a link between them should exist. It is investigated and applied to an Energy Optimal Problem to overcome the disadvantages characterizing direct and indirect methods when used separately in order to improve mission planning. The same problem is solved with a global Pseudospectral method, belonging to the class of complete schemes, to compare the results and verify if and to what extent the CMP can be exploited with non-complete methods. The results show the mapping to be successful even without an analytical law, allowing to obtain both accuracy and robustness, and thus overcoming the disadvantages of the two main classes of numerical methods. The performances obtained with the complete method are better due to both its fast convergence properties and the availability of an analytical mapping.
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View PDF CEAS-GNC-2024-071