Accession Number:

AD0672248

Title:

CONJUGATE POINTS ON EXTREMAL ROCKET PATHS,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING CORP BETHPAGE N Y RESEARCH DEPT

Personal Author(s):

• Moyer,H. Gardner
• Kelley,Henry J.

Report Date:

1968-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

Conjugate points on extremal finite thrust rocket trajectories in a central gravitational field are investigated using both analytical and numerical methods. When three state variables two velocity components and the radius are considered, it appears that conjugate points occur only after the circumferential velocity component has changed sign, irrespective of the choice of initial conditions, a result suggested by Darbouxs theorem and symmetry considerations. Conjugate points are also found in problems featuring four state variables two position and two velocity components, although no general qualitative rules governing them have been deduced. Numerical results are presented for launches from the moon. Author

Descriptors:

• (*ROCKET TRAJECTORIES
• OPTIMIZATION)
• SPACECRAFT
• LUNAR TRAJECTORIES
• MOON
• GRAVITY
• THRUST
• VELOCITY
• NUMERICAL METHODS AND PROCEDURES
• BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS
• VELOCITY
• SYMPOSIA

Subject Categories:

• Spacecraft Trajectories and Reentry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE