Optimal Low Thrust Orbit Transfer Using Direct Collocation Method

In this paper, a new approach is proposed for solving the problem of optimal low thrust orbit transfer. In this approach, the problem of trajectory optimization of optimal orbit transfer is defined by modified equinoctial orbital elements. For solving this problem, direct collocation method, that is an efficient numerical method for solving optimal control problems, is used. By using this method, the problem of trajectory optimization is fully discretized and converted to a nonlinear programming problem. This discrete problem with large numbers of variables and constraints is solved by a powerful nonlinear programming solver (IPOPT). Finally, optimal state and control variables are achieved for optimal orbit transfer with minimum fuel consumption.