Low-thrust Interplanetary Trajectories with Missed Thrust Events: a Numerical Approach

TL;DR

This paper develops a numerical method for planning low-thrust interplanetary trajectories that accounts for engine failures, optimizing fuel use while ensuring a high probability of reaching the target.

Contribution

It introduces a stochastic optimal control framework with a dualized probability constraint and applies an Arrow-Hurwicz algorithm to solve interplanetary mission problems.

Findings

Effective trajectory solutions with failure probabilities considered

Demonstrated applicability to real interplanetary missions

Enhanced robustness of mission planning under engine failures

Abstract

The problem under consideration is to drive a spatial vehicle to a target at a given final time while minimizing fuel consumption. This is a classical optimal control problem in a deterministic setting. However temporary stochastic failures of the engine may prevent reaching the target after the engine usage is recovered. Therefore, a stochastic optimal control problem is formulated under the constraint of ensuring a minimal probability of hitting the target. This problem is modeled, improved and finally solved by dualizing the probability constraint and using an Arrow-Hurwicz stochastic algorithm. Numerical results concerning an interplanetary mission are presented.