Faster Low-Thrust Trajectory Design Through Finite Fourier Series: The effects of a new initialisation strategy

Low-thrust propulsion has gained more popularity over the past few decades because of its high efficiency. Interplanetary transfer trajectories in particular benefit from low-thrust propulsion, considering the typically high Delta V to be achieved. In order to allow a fast design of such missions, first-order, efficient representations of...

Characterisation of Shape-Based Methods and Combination with Coasting Arcs

Low-thrust propulsion's main advantage is its efficient propellant usage. This holds for manoeuvres as well as for major orbital changes, both for LEO/MEO/GEO satellites and for interplanetary missions. In designing such missions, extensive numerical models as well as less demanding analytic first-order approximations can be used. A specific...