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Abstract

A system for optimizing a low-thrust trajectory of a spacecraft trajectory for orbital transfer includes an interface to receive data, a memory to store scheduled geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) data and scheduled geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) data and computer-executable programs, and a processor. The processor is configured to provide a two-dimensional (2D) averaged trajectory consisting of a predetermined revolutions by executing the optimal control program using the GTO data and GEO data, arrange N equidistant points on the 2D averaged trajectory to form segments on the 2D averaged trajectory, obtain osculating elements corresponding to the segments by solving optimization problems for the segments, estimate initial guesses of the segments under continuous thrusting conditions in tangential directions at the N equidistant points, solve a minimum energy optimization problem to obtain a minimum energy 2D osculating trajectory by using as initial guess the concatenation of segments, compute a minimum energy three-dimensional (3D) osculating trajectory by linearly decreasing an inclination of the minimum energy 2D osculating trajectory to zero, and generating a minimum fuel 3D osculating trajectory by iteratively solving a cost function while changing a parameter from one to zero.

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First Claim