Iterative Lambert’s Trajectory Optimization for Extrasolar Bodies Interception

Interception of extrasolar objects is one of the major current astrophysical objectives since it allows gathering information on the formation and composition of other planetary systems. This paper develops a tool to design optimal orbits for the interception of these bodies considering the effects of different perturbation sources. The optimal trajectory is obtained by solving a Lambert’s problem that gives the required initial impulse. A numerical integration of a perturbed orbital model is calculated. This model considers the perturbations of the joint action of the gravitational potentials of the Solar System planets and the solar radiation pressure. These effects cause a deviation in the orbit that prevents the interception from taking place, so an iterative correction scheme of the initial estimated impulse is presented, capable of modifying the orbit and achieving a successful interception in a more realistic environment.

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Interplanetary gravity-assist fuel-optimal trajectory optimization with planetary and Solar radiation pressure perturbations

Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy ◽

10.1007/s10569-020-9955-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammadreza Saghamanesh ◽

Ehsan Taheri ◽

Hexi Baoyin

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Radiation Pressure ◽

Trajectory Optimization ◽

Optimal Trajectory ◽

Solar Radiation Pressure ◽

Gravity Assist ◽

Pressure Perturbations

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The Effects of Hyperbolic Meteoroids from Parker Solar Probe to the Moon

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-4160 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jamey Szalay ◽

Petr Pokorny ◽

Mihaly Horanyi ◽

Stuart Bale ◽

Eric Christian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar System ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Radiation Pressure ◽

Solar Radiation Pressure ◽

The Sun ◽

The Moon ◽

Zodiacal Cloud ◽

Impact Ejecta ◽

Density Enhancement ◽

Small Grains

<p>The zodiacal cloud in the inner solar system undergoes continual evolution, as its dust grains are collisionally ground and sublimated into smaller and smaller sizes. Sufficiently small (~<500 nm) grains known as beta-meteoroids are ejected from the inner solar system on hyperbolic orbits under the influence of solar radiation pressure. These small grains can reach significantly larger speeds than those in the nominal zodiacal cloud and impact the surfaces of airless bodies. Since the discovery of the Moon's asymmetric ejecta cloud, the origin of its sunward-canted density enhancement has not been well understood. We propose impact ejecta from beta-meteoroids that hit the Moon's sunward side could explain this unresolved asymmetry. The proposed hypothesis rests on the fact that beta-meteoroids are one of the few truly asymmetric meteoroid sources in the solar system, as unbound grains always travel away from the Sun and lack a symmetric inbound counterpart. This finding suggests beta-meteoroids may also contribute to the evolution of other airless surfaces in the inner solar system as well as within other exo-zodiacal disks. We will also highlight recent observations from the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft, which suggest it is being bombarded by the very same beta-meteoroids. We discuss how observations by PSP, which lacks a dedicated dust detector, can be used to inform the structure and variability of beta-meteoroids in the inner solar system closer to the Sun than ever before.</p>

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