This citation summarizes a one-page announcement of technology available for utilization. A new algorithm alleviates some of the mathematical difficulties of planning segmented trajectories for lowest cost. Although originally developed to plan spacecraft trajectories, the method has terrestrial applications as well. For example, with modifications, it can be used to minimize freight costs and energy costs, which often change in steps, and mass production costs, which depend on the number of machines used. The algorithm involves a modified Newtonian iterative method in which the periapse times, the closest approach distances, and the orientations of the approach hyperbolas serve as the independent variables. ...FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact: Tech. Transfer Div., P.O. Box 8757, BWI Airport, MD 21240; (301) 621-0100. Refer to: NPO-15391/TN.
Planning Transport and Manufacturing for Lowest Cost: A method originally developed for spacecraft path-planning is also applicable to transportation and manufacturing
1984
1 pages
Report
No indication
English