Madilyn Drosendahl
(Advisor: Professor Dimitri Mavris]

will propose a doctoral thesis entitled,

A Methodology for the Optimization of Hybrid SEP-Chem Trajectories for Outer Planets Missions

On

Monday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m. 
Collaborative Design Environment (CoDE)
Weber Space and Technology Building (SST II) and Microsoft Teams

Abstract
Missions to the Outer Planets (planets and planetary bodies beyond the asteroid belt) are a critical component in the future of space exploration. Currently, these missions are powered by solar panels and propelled by combustible fuels. This system is highly efficient in terms of thrust provided but adds a significant amount of weight to the spacecraft, leading to constraints on scientific payload weight. Although lightweight propulsion alternatives, specifically solar electric propulsion (SEP), are available, they cannot currently be used for outer planets missions due to the distance between the Sun and the mission destinations. Therefore, if the goal is to decrease payload weight without sacrificing mission time of flight, experimental propulsive systems must be considered.

This thesis considers the performance of hybrid-thrust SEP-Chem propulsion, a novel propulsive technology under consideration for the Evolvable Mars Campaign, for outer planets missions. However, to perform the analysis necessary to evaluate the performance of this technology, trajectory optimization must be performed. Since well-documented trajectory optimization frameworks do not currently exist for mixed-thrust propulsive systems, this thesis intends to build a preliminary methodology for the mixed-thrust interplanetary trajectory problem posed by SEP-Chem missions to the outer planets.

The methodology proposed in this thesis covers both sequence optimization (planetary bodies visited on the way to the destination) and path optimization (the ideal route between sequence points). It will allow for the determination of globally optimal, robust trajectory solutions that may be applied to SEP-Chem missions to the outer planets, as well as to general mixed-thrust interplanetary trajectory problems.

Committee

• Prof. Dimitri Mavris – School of Aerospace Engineering (advisor)
• Prof. Brian Gunter– School of Aerospace Engineering
• Prof. Graeme Kennedy – School of Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Bradford Robertson – School of Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Stephen Edwards – Advanced Concepts Office, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center