AAS 98-200

OPTIMAL LOW-THRUST TRAJECTORIES USING FLYBY

L. Casalino, G. Colasurdo, D. Pastrone - Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Abstract

The combined use of electric propulsion and gravity assist will probably be used in near-future deep-space exploration. Electric propulsion offers steering capabilities that can be used to approach the planet with the best direction for the gravity assist. The paper introduces the necessary boundary conditions for the trajectory which makes an optimal use of both propellant and gravity assist. Numerical examples concern low-thrust escape trajectories exploiting Venus or Jupiter flybys.

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