Optimum solar-sail interplanetary trajectories

Abstract

A description is given of the optimization of solar-sail interplanetary trajectories. The optimization procedure is based on the calculus of variations. Attention is given to aspects of thrust optimization, optimization criteria, a terrestrial planet rendezvous, the Venus and Mars rendezvous, the Mercury rendezvous, and an asteroid roundtrip mission. The investigation shows that a solar-sail spacecraft represents a viable option for the exploration of the solar system in the future.