Design and Optimization of Low-Thrust Gravity-Assist Trajectories to Selected Planets

Highly efficient low-thrust engines are providing new opportunities in mission design. Applying gravity assists to low-thrust trajectories can shorten mission durations and reduce propellant costs from conventional methods. In this paper, an efficient approach is applied to the design and optimization of low-thrust gravity-assist trajectories to such challenging targets as Mercury, Jupiter, and Pluto. Our results for the missions to Mercury and Pluto compare favorably with similar trajectories in the literature, while the mission to Jupiter yields a new option for solar system exploration.

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