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An open source tool for designing zero-cost trajectories in the circular restricted three-body problem
Johnson, Noah
Johnson, Noah
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t25016_Johnson.pdf
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2025-05
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As we endeavor to expand space mission design capabilities two key factors set the pace of advancement: capability and affordability. In order to grow capability while still maintaining low costs, more sophisticated approaches are needed to supplement existing mission design frameworks. New and exciting developments have occurred in the past decades advancing our understanding of geometric applications of Hamiltonian dynamical systems theory and how it applies to space-based mission design. However, many of these approaches are computationally expensive which has a direct impact on the cost and time of finding an optimal solution, making them unattractive to organizations seeking low development times and costs.
This investigation focuses on creating an open source tool that is able to perform initial mission design, generating a region of trajectories that accomplish a specified itinerary. Utilizing MATLABs interactive app environment, a region of possible solutions is computed in parallel to reduce computation time. This process is done using a step-by-step interactive approach, allowing for user input during the entire phase of trajectory design. The app also allows for the consideration of differing launch vehicles or orbit raising approaches proceeding the entry into the desired trajectory. This approach allows for the intuitive design of multiple trajectories to fit a mission profile.
The design app relies on the utilization of Poincaré sections and manifold tubes to define regions of possible solutions in space. At the Poincaré sections multi-variable phase spaces can be defined, allowing for the creation of intricate design spaces for the given mission parameters. The end result of this effort is the creation of end-to-end trajectories that travel by specified itineraries meeting more precise design criteria than previously capable.
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Thesis (M.S.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
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Wichita State University
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© Copyright 2025 by Noah Johnson
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