Ballistic Interplanetary Trajectory Optimization - SNOPT

Design and optimize patched-conic, ballistic interplanetary trajectories between any two planets of our solar system.

This submission is a MATLAB script called ipto_snopt that can be used to design and optimize “patched conic” ballistic interplanetary trajectories between any two planets of our solar system. A patched-conic trajectory ignores the gravitational effect of both the departure and arrivals planets on the heliocentric orbital transfer trajectory (also called a zero sphere of influence trajectory (ZSOI)). This technique involves the solution of Lambert's problem relative to the Sun. The ipto_snopt script also includes the option to include user-defined mission constraints such as departure energy, time-of-flight, and so forth during the trajectory optimization.

The ipto_snopt MATLAB script also performs a graphical primer vector analysis of the two-impulse solution. This program feature displays the behavior of the primer vector magnitude and primer derivative magnitude as a function of mission elapsed time in days from departure. If the primer analysis indicates the solution can be improved with a third impulsive maneuver, the script will offer to optimize the two-impulse solution with an additional maneuver.

This MATLAB script reads a JPL planetary ephemerides in a machine-independent binary format (kernels) which are available from the JPL SPICE web site. These *.bsp ephemeris files are IEEE-Little Endian style of binary kernel. This is the binary form native to PC/Linux, PC/Windows and MAC/Intel machines. Ephemeris and other required data files, platform dependent versions of the MICE mex file and other functions are available at naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/toolkit_MATLAB.html. MICE is a MATLAB implementation of the JPL SPICE software system.

MATLAB versions of SNOPT for several computer platforms can be purchase/requested at Professor Philip Gill’s web site which is located at http://scicomp.ucsd.edu/~peg/. Professor Gill’s web site also includes a PDF version of the SNOPT software user’s guide.

This submission includes a 64bit version of the MICE mex file for Windows.