First ACT global trajectory optimisation competition: Result found at Alcatel Alenia Space

Abstract In the frame of the first ACT competition on global trajectory proposed by ESA [1], Alcatel Alenia Space has provided a solution based on an internal optimal control Tool T_3D. The method proposed to solve the problem is based on the utilisation of the minimum principle. The necessary condition of optimality for the orbit transfer problem is derived, a boundary problem is formulated and presented. The effort of formulation has been restricted to direct transfers. Finally, a synthesis of the trajectories found in the frame of the competition and after is presented to illustrate the capacity of the method and its limitations.