Multi-Fidelity Modelling of Low-Energy Trajectories for Space Mission Design

Abstract

The proposal of increasingly complex and innovative space endeavours poses growing demands for mission designers. In order to meet the established requirements and constraints while maintaining a low fuel cost, the use of low-energy trajectories is particularly interesting. These allow spacecraft to change orbits and move with little to no fuel, but they are computed using motion models of a higher fidelity than the commonly used two-body problem (2BP). For this purpose, perturbation methods that explore the third-body effect are especially attractive, since they can accurately convey the system dynamics of a three-body configuration with a lower computational cost, by employing mapping techniques or exploring analytical approximations. The focus of this work is to broaden the knowledge of low-energy trajectories by developing new mathematical tools to assist in mission design applications. In particular, novel motion models based on the third-body effect are conceived. One application of this study focuses on the trajectory design for missions to near-Earth asteroids. Two different projects are explored: one is based on the preliminary design of separate rendezvous and capture missions to the invariant manifolds of libration point $L_2$. This is achieved by studying two recently discovered asteroids and determining dates, fuel cost and final control history for each trajectory. The other covers a larger study on asteroid capture missions, where several bodies are regarded as potential targets. The candidates are considered using a multi-fidelity design framework that filters through the trajectory options using models of motion of increasing accuracy, so that a final refined, low-thrust solution is obtained. The trajectory design hinges on harnessing Earth's gravity by exploiting encounters outside its sphere of influence, the named Earth-resonant encounters.