Pontryagin's maximum principle is applied to relativistic rocket equations of motion to determine characteristics of minimum time and fuel interstellar trajectories with acceleration-limited rockets; number of rocket types are examined for possible application to interstellar travel based on assumed flight time and mass ratio limitations; ideal photon rocket is capable of traveling large interstellar distances on these minimum time and minimum fuel trajectories; rockets using ideal nuclear fusion or fission as power sources appear to be capable of traveling only to nearest stars on minimum fuel trajectories. (40070)


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    Title :

    Optimal interstellar trajectories with acceleration-limited relativistic rockets


    Additional title:

    J Astronaut Sci


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1968


    Size :

    6 pages


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :




    Closed-Form Thrust Acceleration for Optimal Power-Limited Trajectories

    Prussing, J. E. / American Astronautical Society / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996