Time-optimal coplanar orbit transfer using genetic-simplex algorithm

A hybrid algorithm combining genetic with simplex is proposed to solve time-optimal coplanar orbit transfer in this paper. The trajectory optimization problem comes down to constraint parameter optimization, where the nonlinear two-point boundary value problem is avoided. The genetic algorithm (GA) is used to get global optimal parameters and the simplex algorithm is adopted to improve the ability of local search. Different from traditional methods, the proposed algorithm can achieve rapid convergence, global optimal solution and high precision. Additionally, the absolute thrust efficiency commonly used in Q-law approach is introduced here as a limit gate for deciding when to thrust or to coast in order to reach good performance in saving fuel consumption. The proposed control strategy is validated via numerical simulation examples. The results show that in the case of saving fuel consumptions, the proposed algorithm is effective in minimizing the total transfer time.