The reliability of low-thrust trajectories between science orbits around large asteroids must be evaluated subject to the unavoidable uncertainties of orbit determination, asteroid physical parameters, momentum de-saturation maneuvers, and transfer maneuver execution error. This paper presents a computationally inexpensive way to extend the concept or orbital stability to trajectories undergoing continuously powered low-thrust flight. Trajectories that are stable using this measure are shown to be stable under the combined uncertainties expected during operations. The measure is general and relatively simple to implement. The method was applied to maneuvers planed around the asteroid Vesta in support of NASA's Dawn Discovery mission.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Stability of Powered Flight around Asteroids with Application to Vesta


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    21st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting ; 2011 ; New Orleans, LA, United States


    Publication date :

    2011-02-14


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    The Stability of Powered Flight Around Asteroids With Application to Vesta (AAS 11-186)

    Whiffen, G.J. / American Astronautical Society / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2011


    Dynamical Analysis of 1:1 Resonances Near Asteroids - Application to Vesta

    Mondelo, Josep Maria / Broschart, Stephen / Villac, Benjamin | AIAA | 2010


    Dynamical Analysis of 1:1 Resonances Near Asteroids - Application to Vesta

    Villac, B. / Mondelo, J.-M. / Broschart, S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    Possible Formation of the Vesta-Family Asteroids and the Main IRAS Dust Band by an Oblique Impact on Vesta

    Wasson, J. T. / Chapman, C. R. / Grogan, K. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996