Optimization of transfer orbit for multiple-pulse noncoplanar rendezvous and docking

For the transferring and planning problem on a noncoplanar non-circular orbit in rendezvous and docking of three-dimensional space, an optimization algorithm for transfer orbit of energy optimization of multiple-pulse noncoplanar rendezvous and docking was proposed based on Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO). The two-body correlation dynamic equation and pulse orbit theory were used to construct the optimization model for multiple-pulse noncoplanar rendezvous and docking in space. Then, Lambert algorithm was introduce to handle terminal constraint condition and to decrease the number of unknown variables, so as to simplify the problem. Furthermore, the function time, direction and size of a pulse were designed into variables to be optimized, the energy consumed and the terminal constraint condition during rendezvous and docking were set as the objective function and the transfer orbit that saves the flue was optimized by the PSO. Finally, a simulation test was carried out on the four-pulse rendezvous and docking problem in MATLAB and the simulation results were compared with that of double-pulse rendezvous and docking based on the Lambert algorithm under the same initial condition. The results show that speed increments needed in four-pulse rendezvous and docking with the PSO is 4.4243 km/s, while that in double-pulse rendezvous and docking with Lambert algorithm is 11.2691 km/s. By comparison, the former has saved the energy by 60%. In conclusion, the scheme designed effectively saves the fuel consumption, which verifies the effectiveness of the method designed.