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Optimization of observing sequence based on nominal trajectories of symmetric observing configuration

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Abstract

This paper presents the crucial method for obtaining our team’s results in the 8th Global Trajectory Optimization Competition (GTOC8). Because the positions and velocities of spacecraft cannot be completely determined by one observation on one radio source, the branch and bound method for sequence optimization of multi-asteroid exploration cannot be directly applied here. To overcome this difficulty, an optimization method for searching the observing sequence based on nominal low-thrust trajectories of the symmetric observing configuration is proposed. With the symmetric observing configuration, the normal vector of the triangle plane formed by the three spacecraft rotates in the ecliptic plane periodically and approximately points to the radio sources which are close to the ecliptic plane. All possible observing opportunities are selected and ranked according to the nominal trajectories designed by the symmetric observing configuration. First, the branch and bound method is employed to find the optimal sequence of the radio source with thrice observations. Second, this method is also used to find the optimal sequence of the left radio sources. The nominal trajectories are then corrected for accurate observations. The performance index of our result is 128,286,317.0 km which ranks the second place in GTOC8.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11672146 and 11432001). The authors thank the organizer of GTOC8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Hongwei Yang, Gao Tang & Fanghua Jiang

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Gao Tang

Authors
  1. Hongwei Yang
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  2. Gao Tang
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  3. Fanghua Jiang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fanghua Jiang.

Additional information

Hongwei Yang received his Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from Tsinghua University, China, in 2017, and he was a visiting Ph.D. student of Rutgers University, USA, in 2015–2016. His current research interests include dynamics and control near asteroids, interplanetary trajectory design, and optimization.

Gao Tang received his bachelor degree and master degree in aerospace engineering from Tsinghua University, China, in 2010 and 2012, respectively. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at Duke University, USA. His current research interests include dynamics and control in robotics, interplanetary trajectory optimization, and global optimization methods.

Fanghua Jiang received his B.S. degree in engineering mechanics and Ph.D. degree in mechanics from Tsinghua University, China, in 2004 and 2009, respectively. Since 2009, he has worked in the School of Aerospace Engineering at Tsinghua University, China, including two years of postdoctor, three years of research assistant, and two years of associate professor up to now. Currently, he is an AIAA senior member. His current research interests include astrodynamics, spacecraft formation ying, and interplanetary trajectory optimization.

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Yang, H., Tang, G. & Jiang, F. Optimization of observing sequence based on nominal trajectories of symmetric observing configuration. Astrodyn 2, 25–37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-017-0009-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-017-0009-2

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