Engineering topics
Wilson, R. S.
Publications and source records attributed to Wilson, R. S..
Genesis trajectory and maneuver design strategies during early flight
This paper discusses trajectory and maneuver design strategies employed during the early phases of flight to accommodate spacecraft and instrument design constraints, while achieving the science objectives of the mission.
Genesis early flight experience
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Genesis trajectory management strategies and early flight experience
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Summer launch options for the Genesis mission
In November 2000, the decision was finalized to delay launch to the Genesis mission from February 2001 until sometime in the following summer. Given the nature of libration point trajectories and the unique characteristics of the Genesis mission, a complete redesign of the trajectory is required. The design procedure along with the application to the Genesis redesign is discussed and the new baseline solution is presented.
Optimization of Insertion Cost for Transfer Trajectories to Libration Point Orbits
The objective of this work is the development of efficient techniques to optimize the cost associated with transfer trajectories to libration point orbits in the Sun-Earth-Moon four body problem, that may include lunar gravity assists. Initially, dynamical systems theory is used to determine invariant manifolds associated with the desired libration point orbit. These manifolds are employed to produce an initial approximation to the transfer trajectory. Specific trajectory requirements such as, transfer injection constraints, inclusion of phasing loops, and targeting of a specified state on the manifold are then incorporated into the design of the transfer trajectory. A two level differential corrections process is used to produce a fully continuous trajectory that satisfies the design constraints, and includes appropriate lunar and solar gravitational models. Based on this methodology, and using the manifold structure from dynamical systems theory, a technique is presented to optimize the cost associated with insertion onto a specified libration point orbit.