Innovative ultra-high ultra-high V mission concepts

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The student will identify, investigate the feasibility of, and develop a novel ultra-high V mission scenario enabled by next-generation high Isp Hall effect ion thrusters. Initially, a wide array of missions will be analysed to assess feasibility and commercial potential. One specific mission will then be selected for an in-depth mission design, possibly including preliminary spacecraft design.The expected output of the PhD is at least one completed space mission design enabled by the next generation of ion thrusters.Due to the novel nature of these trajectories, the project may require the development of novel trajectory design tools for IRIDIS (HPC). They will be based on current dynamical systems-based methods including natural transport mechanisms under multi-body dynamics, relying on invariant manifolds, the weak stability boundary, and stability indicators such as FTLE and LCS. Classical transcription methods, Non-Linear Programming (NLP) based spectral direct transcription techniques of the dynamics, and shape-based trajectory design heuristics may also be used depending on the mission profile.Possible space missions may include:Earth to Moon: Space tug to GEO, multiple space debris removal, LEO in-orbit servicing/refuelling, sustainable Lunar gateway supply missionsMoon to Asteroid belt: Asteroid belt tour and deflection, large sample return, fast crewed mission to Mars, continuous asteroid miningJupiter and Beyond: Orbit insertion at outer solar system planets, stators for galactic travellers, reaching the Oort cloud