Controllability of Keplerian Motion with Low-Thrust Control Systems

In this paper, we present the controllability properties of Keplerian motion controlled by low-thrust control systems. The low-thrust control system, compared with high or even impulsive control system, provide a fuel-efficient means to control the Keplerian motion of a satellite in restricted two-body problem. We obtain that, for any positive value of maximum thrust, the motion is controllable for orbital transfer problems. For two other typical problems: de-orbit problem and orbital insertion problem, which have state constraints, the motion is controllable if and only if the maximum thrust is bigger than a limiting value. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the numerical method to compute the limiting value.

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