thesis/LaTeX/thesis.tex

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\newcommand{\thesisTitle}{Designing Optimal Low-Thrust Interplanetary Trajectories Utilizing
Monotonic Basin Hopping}

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\begin{document}

	\title{\thesisTitle}
	\author{Richard Connor Johnstone \\
					B.S., University of Kentucky, 2016}

	\maketitle

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		\begin{center}
			A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in
			partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of
			Aerospace Engineering Sciences \\ 2022
		\end{center}
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	This will be the copyright page.

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	\begin{center}
		This thesis entitled:

		\thesisTitle

		has been approved for the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences

	\end{center}

	\centerline{\begin{minipage}{4in}
		\begin{center}

			\vspace{1.5in}
			\hrule
			Dr. Natasha Bosanac

			\vspace{1.5in}
			\hrule
			Dr. Daniel J. Scheeres

			\vspace{1.5in}
			\hrule
			Dr. Kathryn Davis

			\vspace{1.5in}

		\end{center}
	\end{minipage}}

	\hspace{4.25in} Date: \hrulefill

	The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the
	content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above
	mentioned discipline.

	\newpage

	%TODO: This should be better
	Dedicated to some people.

	\newpage

	Richard Connor Johnstone

	\thesisTitle

	%TODO: Don't directly copy Bryce's formatting
	Thesis directed by Dr. Natasha Bosanac

	%TODO: This is just a quick abstract for now. Rewrite more towards the end.
	\begin{abstract}

		There are a variety of approaches to finding and optimizing low-thrust trajectories in
		interplanetary space. This thesis analyzes one such approach, Sims-Flanagan transcriptions, and
		its applications in a multiple-shooting non-linear solver for the purpose of finding valid
		low-thrust trajectory arcs between planets given poor initial conditions. These valid arcs are
		then fed into a Monotonic Basin Hopping (MBH) algorithm, which combines these arcs in order to
		find and optimize interplanetary trajectories, given a set of flyby planets. This allows for a
		fairly rapid searching of a very large solution space of low-thrust profiles via a medium
		fidelity inner-loop solver and a well-suited optimization routine. The trajectories found by
		this method can then be optimized further by feeding the solutions back, once again, into the
		non-linear solver, this time allowing the solver to perform optimization. 

	\end{abstract}

	\newpage

	\tableofcontents
	
	\listoffigures

	\newpage

	\section{Introduction}

		Continuous low-thrust arcs utilizing technologies such as Ion propulsion, Hall thrusters, and
		others can be a powerful tool in the design of interplanetary space missions. They tend to be
		particularly suited to missions which require very high total change in velocity or $\Delta V$
		values and take place over a particularly long duration. Traditional impulsive thrusting
		techniques can achieve these changes in velocity, but they typically have a far lower specific
		impulse and, as such, are much less efficient and use more fuel, costing the mission valuable
		financial resources that could instead be used for science. Because of their inherently high
		specific impulse (and thus efficiency), low-thrust fuels are well-suited to interplanetary
		missions.

		For instance, low thrust ion propulsion was used on the Bepi-Colombo, Dawn, and Deep
		Space 1 missions. In general, anytime an interplanetary trajectory is posed, it is advisable to
		first explore the possibility of low-thrust technologies. In an interplanetary mission, the
		primary downside to low-thrust orbits (that they require significant time to achieve large
		$\Delta V$ changes) is made irrelevant by the fact that interplanetary trajectories take such a
		long time as a matter of course.

		Another technique often leveraged by interplanetary trajectory designers is the gravity assist.
		Gravity assists cleverly utilize the inertia of a large planetary body to ''slingshot`` a
		spacecraft, modifying the direction of its velocity with respect to the central body, the Sun.
		This technique lends itself very well to impulsive trajectories. The gravity assist maneuver
		itself can be modeled very effectively by an impulsive maneuver with certain constraints, placed
		right at the moment of closest approach to the (flyby) target body. Because of this,
		optimization with impulsive trajectories and gravity assists are common.

		% TODO: Might need to remove the HOCP stuff
		However, there is no physical reason why low-thrust trajectories can't also incorporate gravity
		assists. The optimization problem becomes much more complicated. The separate problems of
		optimizing flyby parameters (planet, flyby date, etc.) and optimizing the low-thrust control
		arcs don't combine very easily. In this paper, a technique is explored by setting the
		dual-problem up as a Hybrid Optimal Control Problem (HOCP).

		This thesis will explore these concepts in a number of different sections. Section
		\ref{traj_opt} will explore the basic principles of trajectory optimization in a manner agnostic
		to the differences between continuous low-thrust and impulsive high-thrust techniques. Section
		\ref{low_thrust} will then delve into the different aspects to consider when optimizing a low
		thrust mission profile over an impulsive one. Section \ref{interplanetary} provides more detail
		on the interplanetary considerations, including force models and gravity assists. Section
		\ref{algorithm} will cover the implementation details of the HOCP optimization algorithm
		developed for this paper. Finally, section \ref{results} will explore the results of some
		hypothetical missions to Saturn.

	\section{Trajectory Optimization} \label{traj_opt}

		Trajectory optimization is concerned with a narrow problem (namely, optimizing a spaceflight
		trajectory to an end state) with a wide range of possible techniques, approaches, and even
		solutions. In this section, the foundations for direct optimization of these sorts of problems
		will be explored by first introducing the Two-Body Problem, then an algorithm for directly
		solving for states in that system, then exploring approaches to Non-Linear Problem (NLP) solving
		in general and how they apply to spaceflight trajectories.

		\subsection{The Two-Body Problem}
			The motion of a spacecraft in space is governed by a large number of forces. When planning and
			designing a spacecraft trajectory, we often want to use the most complete (and often complex)
			model of these forces that is available. However, in the process of designing these
			trajectories, we often have to compute the path of the spacecraft many hundreds, thousands, or
			even millions of times. Utilizing very high-fidelity force models that account for aerodynamic
			pressures, solar radiation pressures, multi-body effects, and many others may be infeasible
			for the method being used if the computations take too long.

			Therefore, a common approach (and the one utilized in this implementation) is to first look
			simply at the single largest force governing the spacecraft in motion, the gravitational force
			due to the primary body around which it is orbiting. This can provide an excellent
			low-to-medium fidelity model that can be extremely useful in categorizing the optimization
			space as quickly as possible. In many cases, including the algorithm used in this paper, it is
			unlikely that local cost-function minima would be missed due to the lack of fidelity of the
			Two Body Problem.

			In order to explore the Two Body Problem, we must first examine the full set of assumptions
			associated with the force model. Firstly, we are only concerned with the nominative two
			bodies: the spacecraft and the planetary body around which it is orbiting. Secondly, both of
			these bodies are modeled as simple point masses. This removes the need to account for
			non-uniform densities and asymmetry. The third assumption is that the mass of the spacecraft
			($m_2$) is much much smaller than the mass of the planetary body ($m_1$) and enough so as to be
			considered negligible. The only force acting on this system is then the force of gravity that
			the primary body enacts upon the secondary. Lastly, we'll assume a fixed inertial frame. This
			isn't necessary for the formulation of a solution, but will simplify the derivation.

			Reducing the system to two point masses with a single gravitational force acting between them
			(and only in one direction) we can model the force on the secondary body as:

			\begin{equation}
				\ddot{\vec{r}} = - \frac{G \left( m_1 + m_2 \right)}{r^2} \frac{\vec{r}}{\left| r \right|}
			\end{equation}

			Where $\vec{r}$ is the position of the spacecraft, $G$ is the universal gravitational
			parameter, $m_1$ is the mass of the planetary body, and $m_2$ is the mass of the spacecraft.
			Due to our assumption that the mass of the spacecraft is significantly smaller than the mass
			of the primary body ($m_1 >> m_2$) we can reduce that formulation to simply:

			\begin{equation}
				\ddot{\vec{r}} = - \frac{\mu}{r^2} \hat{r}
			\end{equation}

			Where $\mu = G m_1$ is the specific gravitational parameter for our primary body of interest.

			\subsubsection{Kepler's Laws and Equations}

				% TODO: Can I segue better from 2BP to Keplerian geometry?

				Now that we've fully qualified the forces acting within the Two Body Problem, we can concern
				ourselves with more practical applications of this as a force model. It should be noted,
				firstly, that the spacecraft's position and velocity (given an initial position and velocity
				and of course the $\mu$ value of the primary body) is actually analytically solvable for all
				future points in time. This can be easily observed by noting that there are three
				one-dimensional equations (one for each component of the three-dimensional position) and
				three unknowns (the three components of the second derivative of the position).

				In the early 1600s, Johannes Kepler produced just such a solution. By taking advantages of
				what is also known as ``Kepler's Laws'' which are:

				\begin{enumerate}
						\item Each planet's orbit is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the foci. This can be
							expanded to any orbit by re-wording as ``all orbital paths follow a conic section
							(circle, ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola) with a primary body at one of the foci''.
						\item The area swept out by the imaginary line connecting the primary and secondary
							bodies increases linearly with respect to time. This implies that the magnitude of the
							orbital speed is not constant.
						\item The square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major
							axis of the orbit, regardless of eccentricity. Specifically, the relationship is: $T = 2
							\pi \sqrt{\frac{a^3}{\mu}}$ where $T$ is the period and $a$ is the semi-major axis.
				\end{enumerate}

		\subsection{Analytical Solutions to Kepler's Equations}

				Kepler was able to produce an equation to represent the angular displacement of an orbiting
				body around a primary body as a function of time, which we'll derive now for the elliptical
				case. Since the total area of an ellipse is the product of $\pi$, the semi-major axis, and
				the semi-minor axis ($\pi a b$), we can relate (by Kepler's second law) the area swept out
				by an orbit as a function of time:

				\begin{equation}\label{swept}
					\frac{\Delta t}{T} = \frac{k}{\pi a b}
				\end{equation}

				This leaves just one unknown variable $k$, which we can determine through use of the
				geometric auxiliary circle, which is a circle with radius equal to the ellipse's semi-major
				axis and center directly between the two foci, as in Figure~\ref{aux_circ}.

				\begin{figure}
					\centering
					\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{LaTeX/fig/kepler}
					\caption{Geometric Representation of Auxiliary Circle}\label{aux_circ}
				\end{figure}

				In order to find the area swept by the spacecraft, $k$, we can take advantage of the fact
				that that area is the triangle $k_1$ subtracted from the elliptical segment $PCB$:

				\begin{equation}\label{areas_eq}
					k = area(seg_{PCB}) - area(k_1)
				\end{equation}

				Where the area of the triangle $k_1$ can be found easily using geometric formulae:

				\begin{align}
					area(k_1) &= \frac{1}{2} \left( ae - a \cos E \right) \left( \frac{b}{a} a \sin E \right) \\
										&= \frac{ab}{2} \left(e \sin E - \cos E \sin E \right)
				\end{align}

				Now we can find the area for the elliptical segment $PCB$ by first finding the circular
				segment $POB'$, subtracting the triangle $OB'C$, then applying the fact that an ellipse is
				merely a vertical scaling of a circle by the amount $\frac{b}{a}$.

				\begin{align}
					area(PCB) &= \frac{b}{a} \left( \frac{a^2 E}{2} - \frac{1}{2} \left( a \cos E \right)
					\left( a \sin E \right) \right) \\
					&= \frac{abE}{2} - \frac{ab}{2} \left( \cos E \sin E \right) \\
					&= \frac{ab}{2} \left( E - \cos E \sin E \right)
				\end{align}

				By substituting the two areas back into Equation~\ref{areas_eq} we can get the $k$ area
				swept out by the spacecraft:

				\begin{equation}
					k = \frac{ab}{2} \left( E - e \sin E \right)
				\end{equation}

				Which we can then substitute back into the equation for the swept area as a function of
				time (Equation~\ref{swept}):

				\begin{equation}
					\frac{\Delta t}{T} = \frac{E - e \sin E}{2 \pi}
				\end{equation}

				Which is, effectively, Kepler's equation. It is commonly known by a different form:

				\begin{align}
					M &= E - e \sin E \\
					&= \sqrt{\frac{\mu}{a^3}} \Delta t
				\end{align}

				Where we've defined the mean anomaly as $M$ and used the fact that $T =
				\sqrt{\frac{a^3}{\mu}}$. This provides us a useful relationship between Eccentric Anomaly
				($E$) which can be related to spacecraft position, and time, but we still need a useful
				algorithm for solving this equation.

			\subsubsection{LaGuerre-Conway Algorithm}\label{laguerre}
				For this application, I used an algorithm known as the LaGuerre-Conway algorithm, which was
				presented in 1986 as a faster algorithm for directly solving Kepler's equation and has been
				in use in many applications since. This algorithm is known for its convergence robustness
				and also its speed of convergence when compared to higher order Newton methods.

				This thesis will omit a step-through of the algorithm itself, but the code will be present
				in the Appendix.

		\subsection{Non-Linear Problem Optimization}

			Now we can consider the formulation of the problem in a more useful way. For instance, given a
			desired final state in position and velocity we can relatively easily determine the initial
			state necessary to end up at that desired state over a pre-defined period of time by solving
			Kepler's equation. In fact, this is often how impulsive trajectories are calculated since,
			other than the impulsive thrusting event itself, the trajectory is entirely natural.

			However, often in trajectory design we want to consider a number of other inputs. For
			instance, a low thrust profile, a planetary flyby, the effects of rotating a solar panel on
			solar radiation pressure, etc. Once these inputs have been accepted as part of the model, the
			system is generally no longer analytically solvable, or, if it is, is too complex to calculate
			directly.

			Therefore an approach is needed, in trajectory optimization and many other fields, to optimize
			highly non-linear, unpredictable systems such as this. The field that developed to approach
			this problem is known as Non-Linear Problem (NLP) Optimization.

			There are, however, two categories of approaches to solving an NLP. The first category,
			indirect methods, involve declaring a set of necessary and/or sufficient conditions for declaring
			the problem optimal. These conditions then allow the non-linear problem (generally) to be
			reformulated as a two point boundary value problem. Solving this boundary value problem can
			provide a control law for the optimal path. Indirect approaches for spacecraft trajectory
			optimization have given us the Primer Vector Theory.

			The other category is the direct methods. In a direct optimization problem, the cost function
			itself is calculated to provide the optimal solution. The problem is usually thought of as a
			collection of dynamics and controls. Then these controls can be modified to minimize the cost
			function. A number of tools have been developed to optimize NLPs via this direct method in the
			general case. For this particular problem, direct approaches were used as the low-thrust
			system dynamics adds too much complexity to quickly optimize indirectly and the individual
			optimization routines needed to proceed as quickly as possible.

			\subsubsection{Non-Linear Solvers}
				For these types of non-linear, constrained problems, a number of tools have been developed
				that act as frameworks for applying a large number of different algorithms. This allows for
				simple testing of many different algorithms to find what works best for the nuances of the
				problem in question.

				One of the most common of these NLP optimizers is SNOPT, which is a proprietary package
				written primarily using a number of Fortran libraries by the Systems Optimization Laboratory
				at Stanford University. It uses a sparse sequential quadratic programming approach.

				Another common NLP optimization packages (and the one used in this implementation) is the
				Interior Point Optimizer or IPOPT. It can be used in much the same way as SNOPT and uses an
				Interior Point Linesearch Filter Method and was developed as an open-source project by the
				organization COIN-OR under the Eclipse Public License.

				Both of these methods utilize similar approaches to solve general constrained non-linear
				problems iteratively. Both of them can make heavy use of derivative Jacobians and Hessians
				to improve the convergence speed and both have been ported for use in a number of
				programming languages, including in Julia, which was used for this project.

				This is by no means an exhaustive list, as there are a number of other optimization
				libraries that utilize a massive number of different algorithms. For the most part, the
				libraries that port these are quite modular in the sense that multiple algorithms can be
				tested without changing much source code.

			\subsubsection{Linesearch Method}
				As mentioned above, this project utilized IPOPT which leveraged an Interior Point Linesearch
				method. A linesearch algorithm is one which attempts to find the optimum of a non-linear
				problem by first taking an initial guess $x_k$. The algorithm then determines a step
				direction (in this case through the use of automatic differentiation to calculate the
				derivatives of the non-linear problem) and a step length. The linesearch algorithm then
				continues to step the initial guess, now labeled $x_{k+1}$ after the addition of the
				``step'' vector and iterates this process until predefined termination conditions are met.

				In this case, the IPOPT algorithm was used, not as an optimizer, but as a solver. For
				reasons that will be explained in the algorithm description in Section~\ref{algorithm} it
				was sufficient merely that the non-linear constraints were met, therefore optimization (in
				the particular step in which IPOPT was used) was unnecessary.

	\section{Low-Thrust Considerations} \label{low_thrust}

		Thus far, the techniques that have been discussed can be equally useful for both impulsive and
		continuous thrust mission profiles. In this section, we'll discuss the intricacies of continuous
		low-thrust trajectories in particular. There are many methods for optimizing such profiles and
		we'll briefly discuss the difference between a direct and indirect optimization of a low-thrust
		trajectory as well as introduce the concept of a control law and the notation used in this
		thesis for modelling low-thrust trajectories more simply.

		\subsection{Low-Thrust Control Laws}

			In determining a low-thrust arc, a number of variables must be accounted for and, ideally,
			optimized.

			Firstly, we must determine the presence or absence of thrust. Often, this is a	question of
			preference in the arsenal of the mission designer. Generally speaking, there are points along
			an orbit at which thrusting in order to achieve the final orbit are more or less efficient.
			For instance, in a classic orbit raising, if increasing the semi-major axis is the only goal,
			then thrusting nearer to the periapsis is far more efficient than thrusting near the apoapsis.
			For this reason, a mission designer may choose to reduce the thrust or turn it off altogether
			during certain segments of the trajectory.

			Secondly, the direction of thrust must also be determined. The methods for determining this
			direction varies greatly depending on the particular control law chosen for that mission.
			Generally speaking, a control law determines these two parameters: thrust presence and thrust
			direction, at each point along the arc.

			This is, of course, also true for impulsive trajectories. However, since the thrust presence
			for those trajectories are generally taken to be impulse functions, the control laws can
			afford to be much less complicated for a given mission goal, by simply thrusting only at the
			moment on the orbit when the transition will be most efficient. For a low-thrust mission,
			however, the control law must be continuous rather than discrete and therefore the control law
			inherently gains a lot of complexity.

		\subsection{Sims-Flanagan Transcription}

			The major problem with optimizing low thrust paths is that the control law must necessarily be
			continuous. Also, since indirect optimization approaches are quite difficult, the problem must
			necessarily be reformulated as a discrete one in order to apply a direct approach. Therefore,
			this thesis chose to use a model well suited for discretizing low-thrust paths: the
			Sims-Flanagan transcription (SFT).

			The SFT is actually quite a simple method for discretizing low-thrust arcs. First the
			continuous arc is subdivided into a number ($N$) of individual consistent timesteps of length
			$\frac{tof}{N}$. The control thrust is then applied at the center of each of these time steps.

			Using the SFT, it is relatively straightforward to propagate a state (in the context of the
			Two-Body Problem) that utilizes a continuous low-thrust control, without the need for
			computationally expensive numeric integration algorithms, by simply solving Kepler's equation
			(using the LaGuerre-Conway algorithm introduced in Section~\ref{laguerre}) $N$ times. This
			greatly reduces the computation complexity, which is particularly useful for cases in which
			low-thrust trajectories need to be calculated many millions of times, as is the case in this
			thesis. The fidelity of the model can also be easily fine-tuned. By simply increasing the
			number of sub-arcs, one can rapidly approach a fidelity equal to a continuous low-thrust
			trajectory within the Two-Body Problem, with only linearly-increasing computation time.

	\section{Interplanetary Trajectory Considerations} \label{interplanetary}

		The question of interplanetary travel opens up a host of additional new complexities. While
		optimizations for simple single-body trajectories are far from simple, it can at least be
		said that the assumptions of the Two Body Problem remain fairly valid. In interplanetary
		travel, the primary body most responsible for gravitational forces might be a number of
		different bodies, dependent on the phase of the mission. In the ideal case, every relevant
		body would be considered as an ``n-body'' perturbation during the entire trajectory. For
		some approaches, this method is sufficient and preferred. However, for other uses, a more
		efficient model is necessary. The method of patched conics can be applied in this case to
		simplify the model.

		Interplanetary travel does not simply negatively impact trajectory optimization. The
		increased complexity of the search space also opens up new opportunities for orbit
		strategies. The primary strategy investigated by this thesis will be the gravity assist, a
		technique for utilizing the gravitational energy of a planet to modify the direction of
		solar velocity.

		\subsection{Patched Conics}

			The first hurdle to deal with is the problem of reconciling the Two-Body problem with
			the presence of multiple and varying planetary bodies. The most common method for
			approaching this is the method of patched conics. In this model, we break the
			interplanetary trajectory up into a series of smaller sub-trajectories. During each of
			these sub-trajectories, a single primary is considered to be responsible for the
			trajectory of the orbit, via the Two-Body problem.

			The transition point can be calculated a variety of ways. The most typical method is to
			calculate the gravitational force due to the two bodies separately, via the Two-Body
			models. Whichever primary is a larger influence on the motion of the spacecraft is
			considered to be the primary at that moment. This effectively breaks the trajectory into
			a series of orbits defined by the Two-Body problem (conics), patched together by
			distinct transition points.

		\subsection{Gravity Assist Maneuvers}

			As previously mentioned, there are methods for utilizing the orbital energy of the other
			planets in the Solar System. This is achieved via a technique known as a Gravity Assist,
			or a Gravity Flyby. During a gravity assist, the spacecraft enters into the
			gravitational sphere of influence of the planet and, because of its excess velocity,
			proceeds to exit the sphere of influence. Relative to the planet, the speed of the
			spacecraft increases as it approaches, then decreases as it departs. From the
			perspective of the planet, the velocity of the spacecraft is unchanged. However, the
			planet is also orbiting the Sun.

			From the perspective of a Sun-centered frame, though, this is effectively an elastic
			collision. The overall momentum remains the same, with the spacecraft either gaining or
			losing some in the process (dependent on the directions of travel). The planet also
			loses or gains momentum enough to maintain the overall system momentum, but this amount
			is negligible compared to the total momentum of the planet. The overall effect is that
			the spacecraft arrives at the planet from one direction and, because of the influence of
			the planet, leaves in a different direction.

			This effect can be used strategically. The ``bend'' due to the flyby is actually
			tunable via the exact placement of the fly-by in the b-frame, or the frame centered at
			the planet, from the perspective of the spacecraft at $v_\infty$. By modifying the
			turning angle of this bend. In doing so, one can effectively achieve a (restricted) free
			impulsive thrust event.

		\subsection{Multiple Gravity Assist Techniques}

			Naturally, therefore, one would want to utilize these gravity flybys to reduce the fuel
			cost to arrive at their destination target state. However, these flyby maneuvers are
			quite restricted. The incoming hyperbolic velocity must be equal in magnitude to the
			outgoing hyperbolic velocity. Also, the turning angle $\delta$, in the following
			equation, correlates with the radius of periapsis of the hyperbolic trajectory crossing
			the planet:

			\begin{equation}
				r_p = \frac{\mu}{v_\infty^2} \left[ \frac{1}{\sin\left(\frac{\delta}{2}\right)} - 1 \right]
			\end{equation}

			Where $v_\infty$ is the magnitude of hyperbolic velocity. Naturally, the radius of
			periapsis must not fall below some safe value, in order to avoid the risk of the
			spacecraft crashing into the planet or its atmosphere.

			In order to visualize which trajectories are possible within these constraints, porkchop
			plots are often employed, such as the plot in Figure~\ref{porkchop}. These plots outline
			various incoming and outgoing qualities of the trajectory arc between two planetary
			bodies. For instance, during an arc from launch at Earth to a flyby one might plot the
			launch C3 against the Mars arrival $v_\infty$ for a variety of launch and arrival dates.

			\begin{figure}
				\centering
				\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{LaTeX/fig/porkchop}
				\caption{A sample porkchop plot of an Earth-Mars transfer}
				\label{porkchop}
			\end{figure}

			This is made possible by solving Lambert's problem for the planetary ephemeris at the
			epochs plotted. Lambert's problem is concerned with determining the orbit between two
			positions at two different times in space. There are a number of different Lambert's
			problem algorithms that allow a mission designer to determine the velocity needed (and
			thus the $\Delta V$) required to achieve a position at a later time. From this, the
			designer can algorithmically determine trajectory properties in the porkchop plot for
			easy visualization.

			However, this is an impulsive thrust-centered approach. The solution to Lambert's
			problem assumes a natural trajectory. However, to the low-thrust designer, this is
			needlessly limiting. A natural trajectory is unnecessary when the trajectory can be
			modified by a continuous thrust profile along the arc. Therefore, for the hybrid problem
			of optimizing both flyby selection and thrust profiles, porkchop plots are less helpful,
			and an algorithmic approach is preferred.

	% \section{Genetic Algorithms}
	%		I will probably give only a brief overview of genetic algorithms here. I don't personally know
	%		that much about them. Then in the following subsections I can discuss the parts that are
	%		relevant to the specific algorithm that I'm using.

	%		\subsection{Decision Vectors}
	%			Discuss what a decision vector is in the context of an optimization problem.

	%		\subsection{Selection and Fitness Evaluation}
	%			Discuss the costing being used as well as the different types of fitness evaluation that are
	%			common. Also discuss the concept of generations and ``survival''.

	%			\subsubsection{Tournament Selection}
	%				Dive deeper into the specific selection algorithm being used here.

	%		\subsection{Crossover}
	%			Discuss the concept of crossover and procreation in a genetic algorithm.

	%			\subsubsection{Binary Crossover}
	%				Discuss specific crossover algorithm used here.

	%			\subsubsection{Mutation}
	%				Discuss both the necessity for mutation and the mutation algorithm being used.

	\section{Algorithm Overview} \label{algorithm}
		Highlight the algorithm at a high-level. This is likely where flowcharts and diagrams will go to
		give a high-level overview.

		\subsection{Trajectory Composition}
			Discuss briefly the nomenclature used in defining these trajectories. Currently this isn't
			``baked in'' to the code, so I have some freedom to adopt Englander's notation or use my own
			(since my intended use case is a little simpler).

		\subsection{Inner Loop Implementation}
			Give a better overview of the inner loop specifically. Probably this section will have a more
			in-depth flowchart.

			\subsubsection{LaGuerre-Conway Kepler Solver}
				Discuss how the LaGuerre-Conway algorithm is used in the code to provide a fundamental
				``natural trajectory'' between two quantized, but not necessarily close points. Mention
				validation.

			\subsubsection{Sims-Flanagan Propagator}
				Discuss how this algorithm can then be expanded by using SFT to propagate any number of
				low-thrust steps over a specific arc. Mention validation. Here I can also mention the ``Sc''
				object and talk about how those parameters were chosen and effected the propagator.

			\subsubsection{Non-Linear Problem Solver}
				Mention the package being used to solve NLPs and how it works, highlighting the trust region
				method used and error-handling. Mention validation.

			\subsubsection{Monotonic Basin Hopping}
				Outline the MBH algorithm, going into detail at each step. Mention the long-tailed PDF being
				used and go into quite a bit of detail. Englander's paper on the MBH algorithm specifically
				should be a good guide. Mention validation.

		\subsection{Outer Loop Implementation}
			Overview the outer loop. This may require a final flowchart, but might potentially be too
			simple to lend itself to one.

			\subsubsection{Inner Loop Calling Function}
				The primary reason for including this section is to discuss the error handling.

			\subsubsection{Genetic Algorithm Description}
				Similar to the MBH section, there are a lot of implementation details to go over here. Many
				will have already been discussed in the background sections above. But I can step through
				each of the decisions, similar to Englander's paper on this.

	\section{Results Analysis} \label{results}
		Simply highlight that the algorithm was tested on a sample trajectory to Saturn.

		\subsection{Sample Trajectory to Saturn}
			Give an overview of the trajectory that was ultimately chosen.

			\subsubsection{Comparison to Less Optimal Solutions}
				I should have a number of elite but less-optimal solutions. Honestly, I may write the
				algorithm to keep all of the solutions to provide many points of comparison here.

			\subsubsection{Cost Function Analysis}
				Give some real-world context for the mass-use, time-of-flight, etc.

			\subsubsection{Comparison to Impulsive Trajectories}
				I may also remove this section. I could do a quick comparison (using porkchop plots) to
				similar impulsive trajectories. Honestly, this is a lot of work for very little gain,
				though, so probably the first place to chop if needed.

	\section{Conclusion} \label{conclusion}
		\subsection{Overview of Results}
			Quick re-wording of the previous section in a paragraph or two for reader's convenience.

		\subsection{Applications of Algorithm}
			Talk a bit about why this work is valuable. Missions that could have benefited, missions that
			this enables, etc.

		\subsection{Recommendations for Future Work}
			Recommend future work, obviously. There are a \emph{ton} of opportunities for improvement
			including parallelization, cluster computing, etc.

	% \bibliography{biblio}{}
	% \bibliographystyle{plain}

\end{document}