Methods of Orbital Maneuvering

Methods of Orbital Maneuvering examines the use of direct methods in applied spacecraft trajectory optimization. A full breadth of orbit transfer topics is discussed, from the formation of initial guesses to the generation of a full, high-fidelity, multiple maneuver transfer that satisfies all mission constraints and objectives. The text starts with a review of single impulse maneuvers, and the two-impulse transfers between two terminals. Several chapters discuss search and optimization techniques for transfers between specified orbits using up to three impulses. A section is devoted to the incorporation of constraints in the search and optimization process. The text then describes the transformation of these simpler sequences into high fidelity, with multiple finite thrust maneuvers. Ultimately, techniques are described to optimize these high-fidelity, multiple maneuver trajectories. A chapter is devoted to describing constraints commonly seen in orbit transfer operations. A closing chapter discusses several operational topics, including the need for various error analyses, the creation of a spacecraft propellant budget, and processes for maneuver reconstruction and calibration. A culminating appendix delves into numerical simulation of thruster firing on a spacecraft, addressing the modeling of a variety of orbit adjust maneuver types.