Towards a High Fidelity Direct Transcription Method for Optimisation of Low-Thrust Trajectories

TL;DR

This paper introduces an improved direct transcription algorithm for low-thrust trajectory optimization, enhancing accuracy and adaptability by accounting for real spacecraft dynamics and adjusting segment durations online.

Contribution

It presents a novel algorithm that improves the Sims-Flanagan transcription method for low-thrust trajectories by incorporating real dynamics and adaptive segment durations.

Findings

Enhanced trajectory accuracy with real spacecraft dynamics

Adaptive segment duration improves trajectory optimality

Algorithm suitable for operational low-thrust trajectory planning

Abstract

We build upon some new ideas in direct transcription methods developed within the Advanced Concepts Team to introduce two improvements to the Sims-Flanagan transcription for low-thrust trajectories. The obtained new algorithm is able to produce an operational trajectory accounting for the real spacecraft dynamics and adapting the segment duration on-line improving the final trajectory optimality.