(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-04-22)
Brinckerhoff, Adam T.
Resonance hopping transfers between science orbits around two circular, coplanar
moons of a common planet are designed using series of alternating V-infinity leveraging
maneuvers and zero-point patched conic gravity assists. When this technique is combined
with an efficient global search based on Bellman’s Principle, the end result is an exhaustive
set of fuel and time optimal trajectories between the two moons in question. The associated
Pareto front of solutions represents the classic fuel versus flight time trade study sought in
preliminary mission design. Example numerical results are produced for orbital transfers
between scientifically interesting moons in the Jovian system due to NASA and ESA’s
particular interest in executing future tour missions in this environment. Finally, resonant
transfers between neighboring pairs of moons are patched together to obtain fuel and flight
time estimates for a full Jovian system tour between intermediate previously discovered
circulating eccentric science orbits. Results from this fast, preliminary design procedure are
intended to serve as useful starting points for higher fidelity multi-body mission design. In
general, the resonant hopping design approach and the associated design procedure are
found to be most relevant for missions with short flight time requirements.