Ballistic Analysis of a Small Spacecraft Mission for Studying the Earth’s Magnetosphere

In this paper, a preliminary ballistic analysis for an Earth magnetosphere monitoring mission is conducted. Spacecraft mass and propulsion system characteristics are specified to satisfy current technological requirements. Low Earth, Sun-synchronous, and geosynchronous transfer orbits are considered...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cosmic research 2024, Vol.62 (6), p.632-642
Main Authors: Suslov, K. S., Shirobokov, M. G., Bogachev, S. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace engines
Astronomy
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Control methods
Cost estimates
Earth
Earth magnetosphere
Fuels
Lower bounds
Optimal control
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Propulsion systems
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
Spacecraft
Transfer orbits
Upper bounds
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Summary:In this paper, a preliminary ballistic analysis for an Earth magnetosphere monitoring mission is conducted. Spacecraft mass and propulsion system characteristics are specified to satisfy current technological requirements. Low Earth, Sun-synchronous, and geosynchronous transfer orbits are considered as initial orbits. The target orbits are specified in accordance with scientific tasks. The fuel cost and transfer duration are estimated by two methods: an upper bound from the Lyapunov control method and a lower bound from energy-optimal control problem solution. The relationship between optimal longitudes of the ascending nodes for initial and target orbits is examined. The fuel cost estimates validate the feasibility of the mission based on small spacecraft and on the market low-thrust electric engines.
ISSN:0010-9525
1608-3075
DOI:10.1134/S0010952524600987