Fast computation of SEP transfers to Mars using analytic curve-fit functions

The increasing interest in solar electric propulsion techniques, that enable significant propellant mass savings for a wide class of transfers, has brought about a revolution in the approach to trajectory design and optimization, as a result of the complexity and diversity of the problem. To date, solutions of different nature exist, but...

Preliminary design of a crewed Mars flyby Solar Electric Propulsion mission

The goal of this thesis research has been the improvement of a validated, robust low-thrust optimization tool for interplanetary trajectory design, written during the author's internship. This improved tool has then been applied to design crewed Martian flyby missions. Such a mission is a crucial step within the flexible path scenario for human...