Genetic algorithm method of orbit interception with finite thrust

A detailed analysis of the shortcomings of the traditional methods of orbit interception with finite thrust is given. We aim to overcome these shortcomings with genetic algorithm (GA). GA is an adaptive optimization technology. It has the advantages of general-utility, robustness and global optimization. Through building the mathematical model of orbit interception of the space flight vehicle with finite thrust, we optimize the parameters of orbit interception with GA. We choose minimum fuel consumption as the optimization objective. In order to deal with the problem of orbit interception with many constraints, the penalty function is introduced into the GA. Then the GA's running parameters are adjusted dynamically for developing the convergence performance. In our simulation, we selected the thrust direction, thrust working time and the engine fuel consumption rate as the parameters of GA optimization. Through the simulation of intercepting a low-earth-orbit target, we found a minimum fuel consumption orbit under the constraints of a miss distance of 10 m.