scholarly journals Optimal Trajectory Determination and Mission Design for Asteroid/Deep-Space Exploration via Multibody Gravity Assist Maneuvers

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Fritz ◽  
Kamran Turkoglu

This paper discusses the creation of a genetic algorithm to locate and optimize interplanetary trajectories using gravity assist maneuvers to improve fuel efficiency of the mission. The algorithm is implemented on two cases: (i) a Centaur-class target close to the ecliptic plane and (ii) a Centaur-class target with a high inclination to the ecliptic plane. Cases for multiple numbers of flybys (up to three) are discussed and compared. It is shown that, for the targets considered here, a single flyby of Jupiter is the most efficient trajectory to either target with the conditions and limitations discussed in this paper. In this paper, we also iterate on possible reasons for certain results seen in the analysis and show how these previously observed behaviors could be present in any trajectory found. The parameters and methods used in the algorithm are explained and justified over multiple real-life interplanetary missions to provide deeper insights into the development choices.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Hassler ◽  
Jeff Newmark ◽  
Sarah Gibson ◽  
Louise Harra ◽  
Thierry Appourchaux ◽  
...  

<p>The solar poles are one of the last unexplored regions of the solar system. Although Ulysses flew over the poles in the 1990s, it did not have remote sensing instruments onboard to probe the Sun’s polar magnetic field or surface/sub-surface flows.</p><p>We will discuss Solaris, a proposed Solar Polar MIDEX mission to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun by addressing fundamental questions that can only be answered from a polar vantage point. Solaris uses a Jupiter gravity assist to escape the ecliptic plane and fly over both poles of the Sun to >75 deg. inclination, obtaining the first high-latitude, multi-month-long, continuous remote-sensing solar observations. Solaris will address key outstanding, breakthrough problems in solar physics and fill holes in our scientific understanding that will not be addressed by current missions.</p><p>With focused science and a simple, elegant mission design, Solaris will also provide enabling observations for space weather research (e.g. polar view of CMEs), and stimulate future research through new unanticipated discoveries.</p>


Author(s):  
James F. Soeder ◽  
Anne Mcnelis ◽  
Raymond Beach ◽  
Nancy McNelis ◽  
Timothy Dever ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Chung ◽  
Jun Dong ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
S. R. Darr ◽  
J. W. Hartwig

AbstractThe extension of human space exploration from a low earth orbit to a high earth orbit, then to Moon, Mars, and possibly asteroids is NASA’s biggest challenge for the new millennium. Integral to this mission is the effective, sufficient, and reliable supply of cryogenic propellant fluids. Therefore, highly energy-efficient thermal-fluid management breakthrough concepts to conserve and minimize the cryogen consumption have become the focus of research and development, especially for the deep space mission to mars. Here we introduce such a concept and demonstrate its feasibility in parabolic flights under a simulated space microgravity condition. We show that by coating the inner surface of a cryogenic propellant transfer pipe with low-thermal conductivity microfilms, the quenching efficiency can be increased up to 176% over that of the traditional bare-surface pipe for the thermal management process of chilling down the transfer pipe. To put this into proper perspective, the much higher efficiency translates into a 65% savings in propellant consumption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Salatino ◽  
Claudio Iacono ◽  
Roberto Gammeri ◽  
Stefano T. Chiadò ◽  
Julien Lambert ◽  
...  

AbstractOrienting attention in the space around us is a fundamental prerequisite for willed actions. On Earth, at 1 g, orienting attention requires the integration of vestibular signals and vision, although the specific vestibular contribution to voluntary and automatic components of visuospatial attention remains largely unknown. Here, we show that unweighting of the otolith organ in zero gravity during parabolic flight, selectively enhances stimulus-driven capture of automatic visuospatial attention, while weakening voluntary maintenance of covert attention. These findings, besides advancing our comprehension of the basic influence of the vestibular function on voluntary and automatic components of visuospatial attention, may have operational implications for the identification of effective countermeasures to be applied in forthcoming human deep space exploration and habitation, and on Earth, for patients’ rehabilitation.


Author(s):  
J. Wright ◽  
S. Burleigh ◽  
M. Maruya ◽  
S. Maxwell ◽  
R. Pischel

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