Thrust-Magnitude Continuation

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

Starting from a large thrust magnitude, the current solution serves as an initial guess for the next iteration with a reduced thrust value, progressively decreasing to the target. Large-thrust problems converge more easily with simpler solution structures, allowing continuation to gradually approach low-thrust solutions that are difficult to converge directly.

Application Value

Thrust-Magnitude Continuation plays an important role in orbit maneuver design, analysis, and transfer planning for cislunar missions.

Related Concepts

• Proximity Operations
• Lyapunov Periodic Orbit
• Deflection Angle
• Summation Combination of Dual One-Way Ranging

References

• Zhang et al. 2015, JGCD, doi:10.2514/1.G001080; Caillau et al. 2012, CMDA