Questions tagged [low-thrust]
The low-thrust tag has no usage guidance.
19
questions
3
votes
3
answers
159
views
Commercial Sources of variable thrust Rocket Engines [closed]
The project is to build a model rocket to take off and land vertically. Max height perhaps 100 feet.
Looking for a suitable engine which can provide variable thrust control and thrust vectoring which ...
4
votes
1
answer
101
views
Optimal numerical method to solve BVP for optimal low thrust control
I need to solve a boundary value problem (BVP) for an optimal control in case of low thrust trajectories optimization. I want to include the J2 perturbations to the Edelbaum solution (multiple ...
- 161
5
votes
1
answer
429
views
Low-thrust maneuver validation in GMAT
I'm working on a LEO-to-LEO transfer with low-thrust propulsion. I've generated a control sequence with a direct optimization implemented by me and I would like to use GMAT to validate the maneuver.
I ...
- 101
2
votes
0
answers
53
views
Which spacecraft have entered lunar orbit through L1?
I'm examining entering lunar orbit through the Earth-Moon L1 point with low-thrust propulsion. As part of this, I'm interested in all examples of spacecraft (both actually flown and ones that didn't ...
- 1,049
2
votes
0
answers
61
views
Please explain a way of calculation of Lagrange multiplier in algorithm of low thrust transfer
In David Vallado's book 'Fundamental of Astrodynamics and Applications', chapter 6.7. ("Continuous-Thrust Transfers") there is an algorithm #47: Low Thrust Transfer. In this algorithm a ...
- 325
1
vote
1
answer
197
views
GMAT: Finite Burns commands in If statements inside For loops
Does anyone know why GMAT won't execute finite burns when the BeginFiniteBurn command is placed inside an If statement which is inside a For loop? I'm sure the If condition is verified because there ...
5
votes
1
answer
284
views
References for constant low-thrust spiral up-coast-spiral down phasing maneuvers for circular and non-circular orbits?
I am trying to find papers that describe constant low-thrust spiral up-coast-spiral down phasing maneuvers for circular and non-circular orbits. The thrust is assumed to be fixed at $T_{const}$ when ...
- 131
3
votes
0
answers
97
views
About measuring the thrust of an electric thruster
I read in some papers, for example this one: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316444395_Recommended_Practice_for_Thrust_Measurement_in_Electric_Propulsion_Testing
That the best way to measure ...
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
116
views
Is there a (low-thrust) thrusting strategy to change a single orbital element alone?
In literature, I have found the optimal thrusting directions (in terms of pitch and yaw) for maximizing changes in each orbital element.
These optimal changes, while maximizing one element, have an ...
- 362
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Land a cubesat on the moon with ion engine
Say I have a 3U cubesat with a BIT-3 ion thruster, an iodine tank and landing legs. Can it land on the Moon with just an ion thruster?
- 1,623
5
votes
1
answer
218
views
What does a low thrust apoapsis raising look like?
Say you are in a simple circular orbit, $r = 1$ and want to raise your apoapsis to some higher altitude, say an orbit $r_P = 1, r_A = 2$
A high thrust spacecraft would to this in one impulse, at $\...
1
vote
1
answer
774
views
STK 11.2: perform a low-thrust optimal transfer
I'm using STK 11.2 to find a minimum-time finite transfer between two coplanar orbits. The first orbit is circular and has a radius 7000km, the second orbit has a <...
- 733
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Tools for low-thrust trajectory optimization
I'm performing a transfer between Near-Earth orbits considering J2 perturbation with the low-thrust engine. Orbital parameters:
...
- 733
6
votes
1
answer
308
views
Convert the impulsive solution to a low-thrust
The spacecraft transfers from an orbit with the following parameters:
Perigee - 700 km
Apogee - 6000 km
Inclination - 64 deg
Argument of perigee - 250 deg
to and orbit with the parameters:
Perigee -...
- 733
4
votes
1
answer
148
views
Optimization of low-thrust in-plane maneuver
I have to build an optimal trajectory between two orbits, which are in one plane, but with different semi-major axis, argument of perigee and eccentricity.
I've read different articles regarding the ...
- 733