PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF BALLISTIC TRAJECTORIES TO URANUS USING GRAVITY-ASSISTS FROM VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, AND SATURN

The goal of this paper is to investigate trajectories to Uranus for launch between the years 2020 and 2060. Ballistic gravity-assist trajectories are identified using both patched-conic techniques and a genetic algorithm. Classical trajectories, as well as less conventional trajectories, are considered and compared. Trajectories are constrained to flight times of 15 years or less. The best trajectories in terms of parameters such as time of flight, launch date, and AV cost are presented and discussed.