Capture and Brake Strategy for Mars Explorer with Finite-Thrust

To solve the capture and brake problem of Mars prober, this paper establishes the model of finite-thrust, involving three different strategies. Multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to minimize both fuel consumption and periapsis distance error, and method of uniform design is applied to initialize particle populations. After simulation, Pareto-optimal set and Pareto front are obtained. It's indicated that capture strategy of fixed-direction thrust produced smaller periapsis distance error, whereas capture process where thrust direction is anti-parallel to velocity saves more fuel due to less gravity loss. Periapsis height is increased for strategy with constant rotation rate of thrust, and fuel consumption is moderate because of small angle between thrust direction and reverse direction of velocity vector. The idea of two optimized objectives can provide more comprehensive decision-making information than single objective of fuel consumption.