Abstract:
The problem of minimum-fuel aeroassisted orbital transfer of a high lift-to-drag ratio vehicle from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) to low-Earth orbit with an inclination change is considered. Assuming impulsive thrust, the trajectory design is described in detail and the aeroassisted orbital transfer is posed as a nonlinear optimal control problem. Through comparison of the double-impusive orbit transfer and aeroassisted orbit Transfer in noncoplanar orbit, we concluded the influence of altitude difference from two noncoplanar orbits and the perigee choice of the middle transtion orbit. The main problem that aeroassisted orbital transfer may face is hypersonic flight in the upper atmosphere. In the end the technology used in X-37B flight was concluded.