Optimization of low-thrust multi-debris removal mission via an efficient approximation model of orbit rendezvous

Abstract

An efficient iterative approximation model for low-thrust rendezvous in low-earth orbit is proposed to be applied in optimization of multi-debris removal missions. Based on an existing method for impulsive orbit rendezvous and a novel iteration process, the propellant cost and thrust time of a low-thrust rendezvous can be quickly evaluated. Moreover, another iterative method is also designed to help find the minimal transfer duration required for orbit rendezvous. Then, its application in the max-reward optimization of debris removal mission with a large-scale targets to be selected is studied. In the three-steps optimization including target selection, sequence optimization, and low-thrust trajectory optimization, the iterative approximation model is used to deal with the constraints and evaluate the objective functions more efficiently. The problem of the eighth Chinese trajectory optimization competition was used to test the performance, and a leading solution including 93 targets was found. Comparisons with previous results were made to prove the advantages of the method in this paper.