The University of Surrey scientists have developed a new method using knot theory to find the optimal routes for future space missions without wasting fuel. This new method utilizes mathematics to reveal all potential routes from one orbit to another without any guesswork or the need for massive computer power. Danny Owen, who created the technique at the Surrey Space Centre,
The speaker stated that in the past, organizations like NASA had to rely on brute force or guesswork for calculating routes. The new technique, however, can reveal all potential spacecraft routes from point A to point B, as long as both orbits have a common energy level. This simplifies the process of mission planning, likened to a tube map for space. In recent years, space missions have increasingly depended on the ability to alter a satellite’s path without using fuel. One method of achieving this is by finding ‘heteroclinic connections’.
— the paths that enable spacecraft to move from one orbit to another without the need for fuel.
The process of finding these paths involves complex mathematics, typically calculated by utilizing extensive computing power to analyze different options or by making an educated guess and further investigating it.
This innovative method utilizes knot theory, a branch of mathematics, to quickly generate preliminary trajectories, which can then be refined. This allows space agencies to generate a comprehensive list of all potential routes from a specific orbit and select the one that is most suitable for their mission, similar to how one might choose a route by considering various factors. rnrn
The process was successfully tested on a variety of planetary systems, such as the Moon and the Galilean moons of Jupiter, which are the main focus of current and upcoming missions. Dr. Nicola Baresi, a Lecturer in Orbital Mechanics at the University of Surrey, stated that the new Moon race, driven by NASA’s Artemis program, is motivating mission designers globally to study more fuel-efficient routes for exploring the area around the Moon. Our method not only simplifies this complex task but can also be used for other planetary missions as well.“`html
systems, such as the icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter.”