The analysis of ballistic capabilities for countering disturbances associated with temporary emergency electric propulsion shutdown

Abstract

The paper analyzes the possibility for countering ballistic perturbations of the interplanetary transfer trajectory of the spacecraft with electric propulsion (EP) associated with the temporary impossibility of the normal use of the EP in phases of the heliocentric transfer. The main result of the present study is the method for the determination of a new nominal trajectory, at any point of which the allowed duration of the emergency shutdown of electric propulsion is large enough. The numerical analysis is given for one of the possible scenarios of spacecraft injection into the operational heliocentric orbit for solar research.