Efficient performance of a number of engineering systems is achieved through different
modes of operation-yielding systems described as “hybrid”, containing both real-valued and …

The concept of fast solar sail rendezvous missions to near Earth asteroids is presented by
considering the hyperbolic launch excess velocity as a design parameter. After introducing …

ELECTRIC propulsion (EP) nowadays represents a solid established technology that can
provide benefits for a large number of spacecraft missions and enable a new class of …

Spacecraft employing low-thrust propulsion must be able to recover from an event in which
the spacecraft stops thrusting due to an unforeseen problem. Extra propellant is carried to …

ONE of the most unpredictable risks for public health and Earth environment is the threat
posed by near-Earth objects (NEOs), that is, by small celestial bodies with a perihelion of …

The optimization of low-thrust trajectories is tightly coupled with the spacecraft hardware.
Trading trajectory characteristics with system parameters ton identify viable solutions and …

This paper presents a series of optimization methods for finding fuel-optimal gravity-assist
trajectories that use the practical solar electric propulsion with variable specific impulse. The …

Pointing accuracy is a key requirement in communication satellites and Earth observation
missions. Attitude control systems must guarantee tracking of the reference attitude and …

A new electrostatic thruster technology is under development at the University of Michigan
using nanoparticles as propellant with micro-and nano-electromechanical systems. Termed …

Missions towards Mercury are expensive in terms of propellant mass, especially when
conventional propulsion systems are considered. Significant propellant mass saving may be …