Nonplanar LEO‐LEO aeroassisted space rendezvous

Purpose In order to solve nonplanar LEO‐LEO aeroassisted space rendezvous, this paper aims to study an active phasing method based on orbital preliminary adjusting scheme out of atmosphere. Design/methodology/approach In order to add atmospheric entry velocity, orbital preliminary adjusting out of atmosphere is presented and the orbital altitude of high earth orbit (HEO) is selected eclectically. Nonplanar HEO‐LEO aeroassisted orbital transfer problem is studied in detail. According to the standard atmospheric flight trajectory, the locations of deorbit points in HEO are determined and the standard phase angle between orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) in HEO and target in low earth orbit (LEO) is obtained so that OTV and target meet space rendezvous demand. Finally, the active phasing method is studied so that the standard phase angle can be satisfied when OTV is transferred to HEO. So space rendezvous can be realized under the help of aeroassisted orbital transfer technique once the standard phase angle is satisfied. Findings Nonplanar LEO‐LEO orbital transfer depending on entirely propulsive will use enormous fuel and the phasing problem will be most difficult in nonplanar LEO‐LEO space rendezvous mission. However, the fuel consumption can be saved and rendezvous mission can be finished in an advisable time when nonplanar LEO‐LEO aeroassisted orbital transfer technology is applied properly. Originality/value Aeroassisted space rendezvous method is presented in this paper. Orbital preliminary adjusting out of atmosphere is studied in order to add atmospheric entry velocity and the active phasing method for realizing space rendezvous is integrated in preliminary adjusting scheme.