Trajectory optimization for ceres exploration with an electric sail

A hybrid optimization algorithm based on genetic algorithm and Gauss pseudospectral method is proposed for an electric sail to generate the optimal trajectory to explore Ceres. Plenty of simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Effects of mission starting date and characteristic acceleration of the electric sail on the exploration mission are also studied. Results show that the optimal transfer time varies periodically with the starting time. The period is close to the synodic period of Ceres. The optimal transfer time decreases with the characteristic acceleration. An acceptable transfer time can be achieved by an electric sail with a medium characteristic acceleration. Simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid optimization algorithm, which is capable to obtain the optimal trajectory without any initial value guess.