Spacecraft Orbit Transfers

Dear Colleagues,

Orbit transfers are a type of maneuver used by spacecraft to transition from one orbit to another. Recent advances in propulsion technologies and computational intelligence have enabled more efficient, low-cost, autonomous orbit transfers for a variety of complex space missions. For example, new propulsion systems can achieve very high specific impulses while enabling very low thrust levels for more efficient fuel consumption and extended periods during orbit transfers. Meanwhile, the rapid development of machine learning and computational guidance, navigation, and control approaches has provided significant opportunities to enable novel orbit transfer concepts with higher levels of autonomy and robustness in uncertain and disturbing mission environments.

The Special Issue aims to address the broad topics and advances in spacecraft orbit transfers and welcomes research articles and review papers in areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Earth–orbit transfers;
• Interplanetary trajectories;
• Low-thrust orbit transfers;
• Rendezvous and proximity operations;
• Orbit transfers for on-orbit servicing;
• Orbit transfers of small satellites;
• Ballistic lunar transfers;
• Gravity-assist maneuvers;
• Aerocapture, aerobraking, and atmospheric entry;
• Aero-gravity assist maneuvers;
• Advanced guidance, navigation, and control for orbit transfers;
• Advanced propulsion technologies for orbit transfers;
• Machine learning techniques for orbit transfers;
• Advanced trajectory optimization methods for orbit transfers;
• Launch trajectories and orbit insertion;
• Orbit transfers for spacecraft formation flying.

Dr. Zhenbo Wang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• orbit transfers
• space propulsion
• space trajectory
• trajectory optimization
• guidance, navigation, and control
• interplanetary missions