Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
10680956 Acta Astronautica 2005 16 Pages PDF
Abstract
In this paper a novel global optimisation approach is used to search for potentially interesting solutions for a mission to Mars. The approach blends the characteristics of evolutionary algorithms with the systematic search, typical of branching techniques. Solutions for a roundtrip to Mars, either direct or via Venus, considering long and short stays on Mars or free return trajectories are analysed, thus providing a comprehensive view of all the opportunities within a wide range of possible launch dates. Finally, electric propulsion options are investigated including the possibility of using Mars' Lagrangian points for a low cost capture. The proposed global search was effectively able to find globally minimal Δv solutions for Earth-Mars roundtrips giving the expected characterisation of the problem under study. Moreover, it will be shown how the method was able to automatically rediscover known solutions along with new ones of practical interest for future Mars exploration.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Engineering Aerospace Engineering
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