Optimal Interplanetary Spacecraft Trajectories via a Pareto Genetic Algorithm

A Pareto genetic algorithm is applied to the optimization of low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft trajectories. A multiobjective, nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is developed following existing methodologies. A hybridized scheme is designed integrating the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm with a calculus-of-variations-based trajectory optimization algorithm. “Families” of Pareto optimal trajectories are generated for the cases of Earth-Mars flyby and rendezvous trajectories. A novel trajectory type generated by the genetic algorithm is expanded to develop a series of versatile, high-performance Earth-Mars rendezvous trajectories.