Simulation of controlled motion in an irregular gravitational field for an electric propulsion spacecraft

In this paper we present a mathematical model of spacecraft motion with an electric propulsion engine in an irregular non-spherical gravitational field. We propose to use the suggested model of single gravity points for simulation of the motion of a spacecraft in an irregular gravitational field. A deviation of the developed model from the model of gravitational potential in spherical harmonics was calculated for the asteroid Eros (433). The equations of spacecraft motion are corresponding equations of the n-body problem. The known differential equations of locally optimal control laws are used for motion simulation. The authors developed software for motion simulation and obtained results which can be used for simulation of maneuvers in the neighborhood of asteroids.