November 24, 2023, Friday, 03:00PM (GMT+03.00, Moscow)

Abstract:

This presentation will show in some detail orbital maneuvers for a spacecraft that combines a close approach to a celestial body with an impulse applied in the minimum distance to the body approached. Situations when this body has an atmosphere and the spacecraft passes by it during the close approach will also be considered. In both cases there is the possibility of increasing the variations of energy by increasing the angle of curvature and decreasing the periapsis distance of the maneuver due to propulsion and/or presence of the atmosphere. Results will also show the maneuvers combining the three effects: close approach, passage by the atmosphere and the application of an impulse to the spacecraft. Emphasis is given in obtaining the solutions that give the maximum variations of energy, either increasing or decreasing the energy.