Trajectory Optimization

In November 2003 the Voyager 1 spacecraft pierced through the Solar system¿s termination shock, followed by Voyager 2 in August 2007. These events marked the beginning of interstellar exploration by spacecraft, which caused a wave of renewed interest in the outer heliosphere throughout the scientific community. This book research investigated the feasibility of a mission to the Solar bow shock (the true interstellar boundary) at ¿200 AU from the Sun; twice as far as the Voyager spacecraft. The techniques used in designing its trajectory were standard gravitational-assist manoeuvres and/or a single close-proximity flyby with the Sun, and both low-thrust and high-thrust propulsion systems were investigated. Minimum time of flight and maximum spacecraft dry mass were primary objectives, whereas the number and quality of minor planet flybys were secondary objectives. A maximum on the time of flight of 15 years was upheld, extendable to a maximum of 25 years in case the first constraint could not be met or proved overly beneficial to the other objectives.