A multiple-impulse function for orbital transfer and its derivatives

Abstract

A multiple-impulse function is represented as a sequence of single-impulse functions. The single-impulse transfer which yields the velocity change required to transfer from a specified initial orbit to a partially specified final orbit is developed. Analytic derivatives of the function are obtained for use in optimization techniques. A four-impulse transfer is outlined. The analytic derivatives may allow more efficient optimization than numerical derivatives do.