Energy-to-Fuel Homotopy Continuation
Author: Tianjiang Shuo
Website: https://cislunarspace.cn
Definition
A numerical strategy for solving low-thrust fuel-optimal problems. It first solves the easier minimum-energy problem (ε=1), then gradually decreases the homotopy parameter ε to 0, smoothly transitioning the solution to the fuel-optimal case. The parameter ε introduces a regularization term εu(1-u) in the objective function, progressively shrinking the throttle factor from continuous values to bang-bang (0 or 1).
Application Value
在轨道力学分析和任务设计中，This概念为轨道特性评估和方案比选provides理论依据，有助于优化轨道设计参数，提高任务经济性。
Related Concepts
- 运行轨道库（Operational Orbit Library）
- 月球自由返回轨道（Lunar Free-Return Orbit, LFO）
- 临界轨道（Critical Orbit）
- 准周期远距离逆行轨道（Quasi-Periodic Distant Retrograde Orbit, QPDRO）
References
- Zhang et al. 2015, JGCD, doi:10.2514/1.G001080; Jiang et al. 2012, JGCD