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Designing continuous-thrust low-Earth-orbit to geosynchronous-Earth-orbit transfers

Authors: David B. Spencer; Robert D. Culp;

Designing continuous-thrust low-Earth-orbit to geosynchronous-Earth-orbit transfers

Abstract

This paper examines a method that can he used to transfer a spacecraft from a circular low Earth orbit (LEO), inclined to the equator, to a circular geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) with no inclination. The principle is to minimize the propulsive-mass cost for a continuously thrusting vehicle with the capability for multiple on-off thrusting cycles. The analysis was conducted for a large range of initial accelerations, and it was found that the method is best used to bridge the gap between very low-thrust transfers and high-thrust, impulsive transfers. The simulation of a LEO-GEO transfer showed that the results varied from 1 % over the optimal cost for a high-thrust transfer, to 2.5% over the optimal cost for an intermediate-thrust transfer, to 0.3% over the cost of a low-thrust, spiral transfer. This makes this technique a good first estimate algorithm for the entire range of high- to low-thrust transfers.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
13
Average
Top 10%
Average
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