Since the beginning of space exploration, close encounters with celestial bodies in the Solar System have been exploited to change the motion of a spacecraft. Gravity assists are such an example; since they take place ...

Reaching the boundaries of the Solar system has been made possible by Multi-Gravity Assist (MGA) trajectories that reduce the propellant costs by using the gravity of planets to increase or decrease the energy of a ...

Space exploration has seen a growing number of asteroid missions being launched; mostly due to their scientific interest, but also on account of the potential impact threat and prospective valuable resources of their ...

Small celestial bodies such as asteroids and comets are abundantly present in the Solar System, yet their surfaces remain largely unexplored. Achieving regular access to these surfaces would have a major impact on ...

The proposal of increasingly complex and innovative space endeavours poses growing demands for mission designers. In order to meet the established requirements and constraints while maintaining a low fuel cost, the use ...

Multiple gravity-assist (MGA) trajectory design requires the solution of a mixed-integer programming problem to find the best sequence among all possible combinations of candidate planets and dates for spacecraft maneuvers. ...

Missions that can visit multiple orbital targets represent the next cornerstone for space travels, be it for science, exploration or even exploitation. The trajectory design of such missions requires to solve a mixed-integer ...