Electric sail trajectory design with Bezier curve-based shaping approach

The aim of this paper is to propose a shape-based method in which the concept of Bezier curve is used to efficiently design the three-dimensional interplanetary trajectory of a spacecraft whose primary propulsion system is an Electric Solar Wind Sail. The latter is a propellantless propulsion concept that consists of a spinning grid of tethers, kept at a high positive potential by a power source and maintained stretched by the centrifugal force. The proposed approach approximates the time variation of the components of the spacecraft position vector using a Bezier curve function, whose geometric coefficients are calculated by optimizing the total flight time with standard numerical methods and enforcing the boundary conditions of a typical interplanetary rendezvous mission. The paper also discusses a geometrical approach to include, in the optimization process, the propulsive acceleration vector constraints obtained with the latest Electric Solar Wind Sail thrust model. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.