Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers
The advent of space exploration missions, especially those aimed at establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond, necessitates the development of efficient propulsion and mission planning techniques. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of chemical and electric propulsion syste...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Mathematics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/6/900 |
| _version_ | 1827305660620996608 |
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| author | J. De Curtò I. De Zarzà |
| author_facet | J. De Curtò I. De Zarzà |
| author_sort | J. De Curtò |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The advent of space exploration missions, especially those aimed at establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond, necessitates the development of efficient propulsion and mission planning techniques. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of chemical and electric propulsion systems for spacecraft, focusing on optimizing propellant distribution for missions involving transfers from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and the Lunar surface. Using mathematical modeling and optimization algorithms, we calculate the delta-v requirements for key mission segments and determine the propellant mass required for each propulsion method. The results highlight the trade-offs between the high thrust of chemical propulsion and the high specific impulse of electric propulsion. An optimization model is developed to minimize the total propellant mass, considering a hybrid approach that leverages the advantages of both propulsion types. This research contributes to the field of aerospace engineering by providing insights into propulsion system selection and mission planning for future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:02:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b6787eaca4994711a6090f912b9579dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7390 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:02:57Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Mathematics |
| spelling | doaj.art-b6787eaca4994711a6090f912b9579dc2024-03-27T13:53:16ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902024-03-0112690010.3390/math12060900Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital TransfersJ. De Curtò0I. De Zarzà1Informatik und Mathematik, GOETHE-University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyInformatik und Mathematik, GOETHE-University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyThe advent of space exploration missions, especially those aimed at establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond, necessitates the development of efficient propulsion and mission planning techniques. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of chemical and electric propulsion systems for spacecraft, focusing on optimizing propellant distribution for missions involving transfers from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and the Lunar surface. Using mathematical modeling and optimization algorithms, we calculate the delta-v requirements for key mission segments and determine the propellant mass required for each propulsion method. The results highlight the trade-offs between the high thrust of chemical propulsion and the high specific impulse of electric propulsion. An optimization model is developed to minimize the total propellant mass, considering a hybrid approach that leverages the advantages of both propulsion types. This research contributes to the field of aerospace engineering by providing insights into propulsion system selection and mission planning for future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/6/900space mission designpropellantinterorbital transfershybrid propulsion systems |
| spellingShingle | J. De Curtò I. De Zarzà Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers Mathematics space mission design propellant interorbital transfers hybrid propulsion systems |
| title | Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers |
| title_full | Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers |
| title_short | Optimizing Propellant Distribution for Interorbital Transfers |
| title_sort | optimizing propellant distribution for interorbital transfers |
| topic | space mission design propellant interorbital transfers hybrid propulsion systems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/6/900 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jdecurto optimizingpropellantdistributionforinterorbitaltransfers AT idezarza optimizingpropellantdistributionforinterorbitaltransfers |