Research Objectives
Research methodology is characterized as a deliberate methodology that guarantees the analyst to assemble appropriate data or to embrace examination relating to the topic of research by utilizing diverse research strategies. The aim of the proposed research is to investigate the Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking.
The objectives were set in order to assist in achieving the main aim of the study .Due to that, it was essential to have an overview of the Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking. It was of great importance to understand the main principles of Trajectory of spacecraft. Hence qualitative research method together with the literature review and quantitative approaches were employed for the research. This research methodology is appropriate to carry out this research because the literature reviews offer information that is detailed about Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking
This research methodology gives an overview of the preliminary researches that have been carried out in the field and at the same time gives a short description Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking. In short, the literature review that was conducted assists to find the research gap for the research topic (Dunham & Davis, 1999).
Various mathematical models will be used in the used during the research some of the mathematical models that will be used include:
Mathematical Model of Spacecraft Motion
In the limited three-body problem the challenge of a spacecraft is described with respect to the barycenter rotating coordinate frame. In the barycenter rotating coordinate system, the equation of motion of the spacecraft is;
Figure 1 below shows the relative positions of the spacecraft,
Some of the advantages of using mathematical models include:
- They are easy and quick to produce
- They can be able to simply a more complex situation
- They7 can greatly help in enhancing our understanding of the real world variables.
- They make it possible for the predictions to be made
- They can assist in providing control as in the case of aircraft control (Dunham & Davis, 1999). R.
- Most of the mathematical models are asimplification of the real problem and in most cases does not include the aspects of the problem.
- The mathematical models might only work in certain situations.
Various computer programs and simulations will be carried out to determine the aspects of Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking.
- Computer simulation can avoid danger and loss of life
- The different conditions can be varied and the outcome of evaluated
- Computer simulations can be sped up so that the character can be studied easily and quickly for a long time
- The simulations can be slowed down to study the behaviors more closely
- Simulation is more cost-effective
- In simulation it can be very hard to measure how one factor affects another in order to make initial measurements
- For one to carry out simulation he/she requires a deeper understanding of the subject
By conducting the literature review, the author could pass the knowledge about the topic of research, and it would include the main features of a topic. This research approach is of great importance in achieving the objectives and aims of the research. This research approach is also very helpful in attaining all the objectives and aims of the research such as to have a summary of Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking, to evaluate the various principles behind Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking. The main reason behind the selection of this research methodology is to give detailed knowledge about Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking. This research methodology also gives the knowledge about the various scholars and who had previously carried research on the topic (Dunham & Davis, 1999). R. The literature review that was carried out gave the detailed knowledge on Trajectory of spacecraft in aerobraking
Literature Review
The research proposed is intended on utilizing literature reviews and use of various computer simulations investigation as a suitable system to carry out the research. Computer simulations and literature review encourages a researcher to keenly examine the information relating to a particular setting that is a specific topic of research. Additionally, literature review which is usually referred to as secondary sources allows a researcher to pick up top to bottom information and illustrate the aspects of a proposed research topic. For the given research project it is suitable carrying out various computer simulations on trajectory of Spacecrafts in Aerobraking. With that it can be possible to get the clear idea of what is happening in real situation (Dunham & Davis, 1999). R.
The research is to be carried out in 30 weeks, and the timeline for the research is as follows.
For the research to be carried out effectively, I will require one supervisor who we are in close contact with together with two external reviewers who will be reviewing my progress.
Period/Duration |
Activity |
Week 1 – 3 |
Identify the collaborators, mentors and other stakeholders who can assist in the research process. Acquire free critique from the collaborators, mentors regarding the merits and demerits of the study topic. |
Week 3 – 8 |
Carry out a thorough literature review of the topic of study to identify the various gaps in the experts in the field and knowledge in general and to obtain detailed knowledge regarding the topic of research. |
Week 9 |
Come up with specific aims and study objectives based on the conclusion and results obtained from the literature review. |
Week 9-12 |
Come up with the design of the study having the best approach that will facilitate efficient collection of data on the topic of research and ensure that the research is successfully carried out. |
Week 13- 15 |
Refine the study questions after the consultation with the mentors and collaborators in order to flesh out the protocol and at the same time create a proposal. |
Week 1-20 |
Start to drafting the proposed budget to ensure that the project aims can be met without any challenge Obtain the necessary advice from the colleagues/guardians and the sponsor sources Identify the potential reviews of the work to ensure that they are in constant touch |
Week 21-24 |
Start writing the proposal draft Put the proposal aside for some time, and then I will start editing I will employ the outside reviewers who I identified initially proofread my work and give the appropriate comments |
Week 24-26 |
I will rewrite and re-write the proposal as per the comments of the external review. the process will continue until close to the submission dates of the proposal I will finalize the proposed budget with a well-defined and detailed justification |
Week 27 – 28 |
I will write the abstract and summary of the research |
Week 29-30 |
Have a face-to-face meeting with the mentor’s /supervisor in order to get as much feedback as possible. |
References
Assadian, N., & Pourtakdoust, S. (2010). Multiobjective genetic optimization of Earth-Moon trajectories in the restricted four-body problem. Advances in Space Research, 398-409.
Coope, D. M., 2015. Technologies for Aerobraking. 5th ed. Texas: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
angel. (2018, February 1). Aerobraking Down, Down. Retrieved from European Space Agency: https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2018/02/01/aerobraking-down-down/
dos Santo, W., Rocco, E., & Carrara, V. (2014). Trajectory Control During an Aeroassisted Maneuver Between Coplanar Circular Orbits. Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management, 159-168.
dos Santos, W., Kuga, H., & Rocco, E. (2013). Application of the Kalman Filter to Estimate the State of an Aerobraking Maneuver. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 1-8.
Dunham, D., & Davis, S. (1999). Optimization of a multiple lunar-swingby trajectory sequences. Journal of Astronautical Sciences, 275-288.
Jah, M., Lisao II, M., Born, G., & Axelrad, P. (2006). Mars Aerobraking Spacecraft State Estimation By Processing Inertial Measurement Unit Data. SpaceOps 206 Conference (pp. 1-24). Rome: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
Jiang, Z., & Rui, Z. (2015). Particle swarm optimization applied to hypersonic reentry trajectories. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 822-831.
Kaelberer, M., Kopman, S., Brain, D., Perin, C., & Valentine, T. (2017, January 17). MGS Aerobraking. Retrieved from NASA: https://mgs-mager.gsfc.nasa.gov/overview/aerobraking.html
Kuga, H., Rao, K., & Carrara, V. (2008). Introduction to Orbital Mechanics. Sao Jose dos Campos: National Institute for Space Research.
Kumar, M., & Tewari, A. (2005). Trajectory and Attitude Simulation for Aerocapture and Aerobraking. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 684-693.
Lyons, D., & Beerer, J. (1999). Mars Global Surveyor: Aerobraking Mission Overview. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 307-313.
Prince, J., Powell, R., & Murri, D. (2011). Autonomous Aerobraking: A Design, Development, and Feasibility Study. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Rahimi, A., Kumar, K., & Alighanbari, H. (2013). Particle Swarm Optimization Applied to Spacecraft Reentry Trajectory. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 307-310.
Scott, C. D., 2017. Design study of an integrated aerobraking orbital transfer vehicle. 5th ed. Chicago: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Spencer, D., & Tolson, R. (2007). Aerobraking Cost and Risk Decisions. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 1285-1293.
Szondy, S. (2018, February 26). European Mars Orbiter Completes 11-Month Aerobraking Maneuver. Retrieved from New Atlas: https://newatlas.com/esa-mars-tgo-aerobraking-maneuver/53531/
Zhang, W., Han, B., & Zhang, C. (2010). Spacecraft aerodynamics and trajectory simulation during aerobraking. Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 1063-1072.