Applied Mathematics and Optimization, Vol.77, No.1, 129-172, 2018
Fundamental Solutions for Two-Point Boundary Value Problems in Orbital Mechanics
We consider a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP) in orbital mechanics involving a small body (e.g., a spacecraft or asteroid) and N larger bodies. The least action principle TPBVP formulation is converted into an initial value problem via the addition of an appropriate terminal cost to the action functional. The latter formulation is used to obtain a fundamental solution, which may be used to solve the TPBVP for a variety of boundary conditions within a certain class. In particular, the method of convex duality allows one to interpret the least action principle as a differential game, where an opposing player maximizes over an indexed set of quadratics to yield the gravitational potential. In the case where the time duration is less than a specific bound, there exists a unique critical point for the resulting differential game, which yields the fundamental solution given in terms of the solutions of associated Riccati equations.
Keywords:Least action;Two-point boundary value problem;Differential game;Hamilton-Jacobi;Optimal control