Optimal Spacecraft Trajectories

Optimal spacecraft trajectories are given a modern comprehensive treatment of the theory and important results. In most cases “optimal” means minimum propellant. Less propellant required results in more payload delivered to the destination. Both necessary and sufficient conditions for an optimal solution are analysed. Numerous illustrative examples are included and problems are provided at the ends of the chapters along with references. Newer topics such as cooperative rendezvous and second-order conditions are considered. Seven appendices are included to supplement the text, some with problems. Both classical results and newer research results are included. A new test for a conjugate point is demonstrated. The book is both a graduate-level textbook and a scholarly reference book. Title_Pages Preface Introduction Parameter_Optimization Rocket_Trajectories Optimal_Control_Theory Optimal_Trajectories Improving_a_Nonoptimal_Impulsive_Trajectory ContinuousThrust_Trajectories Cooperative_Rendezvous SecondOrder_Conditions Appendix_A_Lagrange_Multiplier_Interpretation Appendix_B_Hohmann_Transfer Refrence (p.110) References John E. Prussing (p.110) References John E. Prussing Appendix_C_Optimal_Impulsive_Linear_Systems RefrenceB References John E. Prussing References John E. Prussing Appendix_D_Linear_System_Theory RefD References John E. Prussing References John E. Prussing Appendix_E_Maximum_Range_Using_Continuous_Thrust_in_a_Uniform_Gravitational_Field RefE References John E. Prussing References John E. Prussing Appendix_F_Quadratic_Forms Appendix_G_Simple_Conjugate_Point_Example RefG References John E. Prussing References John E. Prussing Index This graduate textbook on optimal spacecraft trajectories demonstrates the theory and applications of using the minimum amount of propellant possible to reach a target destination. The author aims to produce the only comprehensive treatment of various aspects of this topic. It includes problems at the ends of the chapters and some of the appendices. But it is also suitable as a scholarly reference book as it includes recent research from the author and his colleagues. A tetxtbook on the theory and applications of optimal spacecraft trajectories