Global Optimization for the Design of Space Trajectories

Bernardetta Addis(addiselet.polimi.it)
Andrea Cassioli(cassiolidsi.unifi.it)
Marco Locatelli(locatelldi.unito.it)
Fabio Schoen(fabio.schoenunifi.it)

Abstract: The problem of optimally designing a trajectory for a space mission is considered in this paper. Actual mission design is a complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-objective activity with relevant economic implications. In this paper we will consider some simplified models proposed by the European Space Agency as test problems for global optimization. We show that many trajectory optimization problems can be quite efficiently solved by means of relatively simple global optimization techniques relying on standard methods for local optimization. We show in this paper that our approach has been able to find trajectories which in many cases outperform those already known. We also conjecture that this problem displays a ``funnel structure'' similar, in some sense, to that of molecular optimization problems.

Keywords: Global optimization, space trajectories, implicit filter, black-box, basin hopping, funnel structure

Category 1: Global Optimization (Stochastic Approaches )

Category 2: Applications -- Science and Engineering

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Entry Submitted: 11/21/2008
Entry Accepted: 11/21/2008
Entry Last Modified: 11/21/2008

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