Characterization and design of out-of-ecliptic trajectories using deterministic crowding genetic algorithms Original Research Article

This paper investigates the application of Deterministic Crowding Genetic Algorithms to the characterization and design of special trajectories in the spatial circular restricted three-body problem with the Sun and the Earth as the primary gravitational bodies. These trajectories are characterized by large displacements normal to the Sun–Earth ecliptic plane. This attribute renders them particularly suitable for space-borne infrared observatories, because the normal component of motion results in a significantly reduced noise from the interplanetary (zodiacal) dust and a concomitant reduction in the necessary size of the optical collecting area. The characterization process yields three new types of trajectories with large normal displacement. By using the results of the characterization process, we continue with genetic algorithms-based trajectory design, which yields promising results in terms of reduction of the zodiacal dust noise.