Optimization of multiple-rendezvous low-thrust missions on general-purpose graphics processing units

Massari, Mauro and Wittig, Alexander (2016) Optimization of multiple-rendezvous low-thrust missions on general-purpose graphics processing units. Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, 13 (2), 80-92. (doi:10.2514/1.I010390).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Amassively parallel method for the identification of optimal sequences of targets in multiple-rendezvous low-thrust missions is presented. Given a list of possible targets, a global search of sequences compatible with the mission requirements is performed. To estimate the feasibility of each transfer, a heuristic model based on Lambert's transfers is evaluated in parallel for each target, making use of commonly available general-purpose graphics processing units such as the Nvidia Tesla cards. The resulting sequences are ranked by user-specified criteria such as length or fuel consumption. The resulting preliminary sequences are then optimized to a full low-thrust trajectory using classical methods for each leg. The performance of the method is discussed as a function of various parameters of the algorithm. The efficiency of the general-purpose graphics processing unit implementation is demonstrated by comparing it with a traditional CPU-based branch-and-bound method. Finally, the algorithm is used to compute asteroid sequences used in a solution submitted to the seventh edition of the Global Trajectory Optimization Competition.

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