Integration of the primer vector in a central force field

Abstract

This paper examines the primer vector which governs optimal solutions for orbital transfer when the central force field has a more general form than the usual inverse-square-force law. Along a null-thrust are that connects two successive impulses, the two sets of state and adjoint equations are decoupled. This allows the reduction of the problem to the integration of a linear first-order differential equation, and hence the solution of the optimal coasting are in the most general central force field can be obtained by simple quadratures. Immediate applications of the results can be seen in solving problems of escape in the equatorial plane of an oblate planet, satellite swing by, or station keeping around Lagrangian points in the three-body problem.