Optimization design of free return orbit for manned lunar mission
- Paper number
IAC-11,A3,2.P,2,x9619
- Author
Dr. Qi-bo Peng, National University of Defense Technology, China
- Coauthor
Dr. Hai-yang Li, National University of Defense Technology, China
- Coauthor
Dr. Guo-jin Tang, National University of Defense Technology, China
- Year
2011
- Abstract
A free return orbit (FRO) lunar transfer is characterized by its zero delta velocity ($\Delta$v) requirements for return to Earth. In this orbit, once the Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) burn is initiated in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the spacecraft will slingshot around the Moon and return to proper re-entry interface with only small orbit correction. This subset of lunar orbit is utilized such that in the event of an engine failure or other type of emergency, the spacecraft will still return to Earth. So the motivation for using it for manned lunar mission is readily apparent. The FRO is utilized for Apollo 8, Apollo 10, Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions. In addition, the FRO also can be used as an abort orbit for manned lunar mission as in Apollo 13. For safety’s sake, FRO is utmost important for manned lunar mission. In this paper, a systematic study of optimization design of FRO is presented. Firstly, the circumlunar FRO design model that satisfied manned lunar mission constraints is established. Then by combining analytical method with numerical method, a serial orbit design strategy from initial value design to precision solution is proposed. Here the analytic model based on patched conic method is used for aided design. And the high precision model under various perturbations are used for accurate orbit parameters solution. Some optimization algorithm, including Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP), are utilized both in initial value design and precision orbit design. Finally, a simulation example is given, and the conclusion indicates that the method has characteristics of rapidity and high accuracy.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-11,A3,2.P,2,x9619.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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