Optimisation in Space: Problems in Spacecraft Trajectory Optimisation, a talk by Professor Jörg Fliege (Head of Operational Research, Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton)
The Branch Annual General Meeting will precede this talk and last around 15 minutes, starting at 7.15pm
Abstract
In trajectory optimisation, the optimal path of a flight system or a group of flight systems is searched for, often in an interplanetary setting: we are in search of trajectories for one or more spacecrafts. On the one hand, this is a well-developed field of research, in which commercial software packages are already available for various scenarios. On the other hand, the computation of such trajectories can be rather demanding, especially when low-thrust missions with long travel times (e.g. years) are considered. Such missions invariably involve gravitational slingshot manoeuvres at various celestial bodies in order to save propellant or time. Moreover, manoeuvres involve vastly different time scales: years of coasting can be followed by course corrections on a daily basis. In this talk, we give an overview over trajectory optimisation for space vehicles and highlight some recent algorithmic developments.
No charge is made to attend meetings; non-IMA members are welcome.
This sounds very interesting. I went to a similar topic theme given by David Baker president of the British interplanetary society. He worked at NASA for many years on trajectories. Would it be a good idea to invite Jim to your meeting: maybe your speaker could come to London late in he year and give his talk one day at Arthur C Clarke house in Vauxhall? I would love to hear it as getting to the IMA talk from London and Babi in a day presents some challenges.
This talk was arranged by, and for, the East Midlands Branch of the IMA (I’m on the committee). We contacted Joerg using the details on the Southampton University website (they were easy to find), to invite him to speak at the Branch. If you’d like to arrange a talk for your Branch (or other institution) could I suggest, please, that contacting him direct would be the best approach?