Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines
A modified algorithm is presented for solving the problem of spacecraft rendezvous in a near-circular orbit. The study considers the calculation of maneuver parameters executed on several turns using a low-thrust propulsion system. It is assumed that the active spacecraft performs maneuvers within a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
2025-07-01
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| Series: | RUDN Journal of Engineering Research |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.rudn.ru/engineering-researches/article/viewFile/45007/25000 |
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| author | Andrey A. Baranov Adilson P. Olivio |
| author_facet | Andrey A. Baranov Adilson P. Olivio |
| author_sort | Andrey A. Baranov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A modified algorithm is presented for solving the problem of spacecraft rendezvous in a near-circular orbit. The study considers the calculation of maneuver parameters executed on several turns using a low-thrust propulsion system. It is assumed that the active spacecraft performs maneuvers within a predefined region around the target spacecraft, while the perturbative effects of Earth’s gravitational field non-centrality and atmospheric drag are neglected. Well-established approximate mathematical models of spacecraft motion are employed to address the rendezvous problem. The methodology of determining the parameters of maneuvers is structured into three key stages: in the first and third stages, the parameters of impulsive transfer and low-thrust transfer are determined using analytical methods. In the second stage, maneuvers are allocated across the available turns to ensure a successful rendezvous by minimizing a selected control variable. The proposed approach is distinguished by its computational efficiency and robustness, making it suitable for onboard implementation in autonomous spacecraft navigation systems. As a case study, the paper analyzes the dependence of total characteristic velocity required for rendezvous on the magnitude of engine thrust and provides a comparative assessment of the total characteristic velocity for both impulsive and low-thrust maneuvering scenarios. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7aaad80065dc4a3ba7ea8fcaff6506a1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2312-8143 2312-8151 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | RUDN Journal of Engineering Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-7aaad80065dc4a3ba7ea8fcaff6506a12025-08-20T03:50:53ZengPeoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)RUDN Journal of Engineering Research2312-81432312-81512025-07-0126211312610.22363/2312-8143-2025-26-2-113-12621154Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust EnginesAndrey A. Baranov0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1823-9354Adilson P. Olivio1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5632-3747Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of SciencesRUDN UniversityA modified algorithm is presented for solving the problem of spacecraft rendezvous in a near-circular orbit. The study considers the calculation of maneuver parameters executed on several turns using a low-thrust propulsion system. It is assumed that the active spacecraft performs maneuvers within a predefined region around the target spacecraft, while the perturbative effects of Earth’s gravitational field non-centrality and atmospheric drag are neglected. Well-established approximate mathematical models of spacecraft motion are employed to address the rendezvous problem. The methodology of determining the parameters of maneuvers is structured into three key stages: in the first and third stages, the parameters of impulsive transfer and low-thrust transfer are determined using analytical methods. In the second stage, maneuvers are allocated across the available turns to ensure a successful rendezvous by minimizing a selected control variable. The proposed approach is distinguished by its computational efficiency and robustness, making it suitable for onboard implementation in autonomous spacecraft navigation systems. As a case study, the paper analyzes the dependence of total characteristic velocity required for rendezvous on the magnitude of engine thrust and provides a comparative assessment of the total characteristic velocity for both impulsive and low-thrust maneuvering scenarios.https://journals.rudn.ru/engineering-researches/article/viewFile/45007/25000spacecraft rendezvousnear-circular orbitvelocity impulsemaneuver parametersapproximate mathematical modelslow-thrust propulsion |
| spellingShingle | Andrey A. Baranov Adilson P. Olivio Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines RUDN Journal of Engineering Research spacecraft rendezvous near-circular orbit velocity impulse maneuver parameters approximate mathematical models low-thrust propulsion |
| title | Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines |
| title_full | Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines |
| title_fullStr | Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines |
| title_short | Modified Algorithm for Calculating the Parameters of Maneuvers of Coplanar Meeting of Spacecraft in a Near-Circular Orbit Using Low-Thrust Engines |
| title_sort | modified algorithm for calculating the parameters of maneuvers of coplanar meeting of spacecraft in a near circular orbit using low thrust engines |
| topic | spacecraft rendezvous near-circular orbit velocity impulse maneuver parameters approximate mathematical models low-thrust propulsion |
| url | https://journals.rudn.ru/engineering-researches/article/viewFile/45007/25000 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreyabaranov modifiedalgorithmforcalculatingtheparametersofmaneuversofcoplanarmeetingofspacecraftinanearcircularorbitusinglowthrustengines AT adilsonpolivio modifiedalgorithmforcalculatingtheparametersofmaneuversofcoplanarmeetingofspacecraftinanearcircularorbitusinglowthrustengines |