- 期刊
Simulation on Trajectories from the Earth to Mars Applying Hohmann Transfer
摘要
Hohmann Transfer is an energy efficient orbit that transfers a spacecraft from Earth to Mars. This work will focus on simulating the Hohmann Transfer to design trajectories for spacecraft traveling from Earth to Mars under certain assumptions. Firstly, this paper rebuilds the standard Hohmann Transfer model and discuss the influences of certain planets on the orbit. Then, applying the Runge-Kutta integration method, this work simulates and calculates the changes in velocity and orbit deviation of a spacecraft while different influences are considered. Thirdly, this paper will revisit the mission of Mars probe Curiosity on November 26, 2011. Finally, by simulating different transfer orbits at different arrival times, this paper numerically solves Lambert's problem and discusses trade-offs between total cost and travel time of the probe. This work concludes that the gravitational attraction of Jupiter and Saturn are negligible, then presents a method to obtain the magnitudes of velocity changes a spacecraft needs to undertake in order to travel to Mars by Hohmann Transfer, and finally shows the trade-off between total cost and travel time in a table of values. The result of this research can be referenced to design trajectories from Earth to Mars.