Midcourse Correction Strategy of Interplanetary Exploration with Breakwell Spacing Ratio Method

Abstract

This paper introduces Breakwell spacing ratio method in detail and derives an analytical expression between terminal error accuracy, guidance ability and the number and time of midcourse corrections. Generally speaking, one more correction is necessary for every 3 times accuracy increasing, while every 3 times improving on guidance ability can reduce one correction. In specific applications, the last correction time should be determined first according to the terminal error accuracy and guidance ability, then other correction time can be determined so that the error propagation after each correction is a geometric progression with ratio 1/3. A simulation of a Mars exploration from May 2018 to December 2018 is taken as an example to verify the validity of theoretical analysis.

Keywords

Breakwell spacing ratio / midcourse correction / guidance strategy / fuel optimal