University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Designing low thrust missions in cislunar space

Fofrich, Joshua

Content Files
FOFRICH-THESIS-2023.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122076

Description

Title
Designing low thrust missions in cislunar space
Author(s)
Fofrich, Joshua
Issue Date
2023-12-08
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Woollands, Robyn M
Department of Study
Aerospace Engineering
Discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Low Thrust trajectory optimization
  • adaptive picard chebyshev
  • chebyshev
Abstract
This thesis describes the methodology and results that were obtained for computing a low-thrust, minimumfuel, trajectory from a highly eccentric Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) in the Earth-Moon system to a highly inclined, circular, low lunar orbit (LLO). The trajectory optimization is formulated using an indirect optimization method, and the Modified Equinoctial Elements are used as the coordinates of choice. The MEEs, with five slow variables, are well-suited to solving two-point boundary value problems over long time intervals. The simulated dynamics include a 3×3 gravity model for the Moon, third-body perturbations from the Earth and Sun, and a solar radiation pressure model. We show a candidate transfer trajectory solution that reaches the LLO with an altitude of 100 km, from the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit. Furthermore, this thesis describes the methodology and results that were obtained for performing orbit determination of a lunar orbiting spacecraft using high fidelity dynamics. Simulated dynamics for the orbit determination portion of the thesis include a 60 × 60 lunar gravity model, third body perturbations from the Earth and Sun, and solar radiation pressure. A batch least squares estimator was used for the analysis with Earth based observations. The adaptive Picard-Chebyshev integrator is used throughout this thesis and is shown to be an order of magnitude faster than traditional integration algorithms such as ODE113 and ODE45.
Graduation Semester
2023-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122076
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Joshua Fofrich

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois