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Optimal trajectories for solar bow shock mission

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This paper deals a Solar Bow Shock mission, a phenomenon of interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium, due to the relative motion of our star with respect to the enormous interstellar matter cloud that contains it. This phenomenon occurs at boundary of the solar system (200 AU), and it is preferable a mission in situ that could examine in detail what actually happens on-the-spot, to understand its effect on the planets of the solar system. Voyager 1 & 2 reached the area where the phenomenon takes place after 30 years. The target is to arrive there optimizing both the transfer time, and the propellant mass consumption. Therefore, the trajectory will be optimized using different propulsion systems and appropriate flyby sequences.. The approach techniques that will be used foresee executions of impulsive or ballistic gravity assists with the utilisation of high thrust engine only, or low thrust engine only, or both engines in two different phases of the mission. By comparing all the solutions obtained imposing different initial conditions the optimal trajectory to arrive at Solar Bow Shock is presented.

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  1. Department of Astronautics, Electrics and Energetic Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138, Rome, Italy

    S. Pizzurro & C. Circi

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  1. S. Pizzurro
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  2. C. Circi
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Correspondence to C. Circi.

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Pizzurro, S., Circi, C. Optimal trajectories for solar bow shock mission. Cosmic Res 50, 459–465 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952512060056

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