Design of aerogravity-assist trajectories

Aerogravity-assist trajectories are optimized in the sense of maximizing DeltaV obtained by the flyby, maximizing aphelion, minimizing perihelion, and minimizing the time of flight for a particular destination planet. A graphical method based on Tisserand's criterion is introduced to identify potential aerogravity-assist trajectories. To demonstrate the application of the theory, patched-conic trajectories are computed to each planet in the solar system. For a lift-to-drag ratio of 7 and a launch excess velocity of 6.0 km/s, Pluto may be reached in 5.5 years using a Venus-Mars-Venus series of aerogravity assists.