Missfit: Statistical Multi-Event Missed-Thrust Optimization for Low-Thrust Trajectories

We propose to develop an optimization tool called Missfit, which will make a low-thrust trajectory more resilient to missed thrust events. Missfit will analyze the effect of multiple missed thrust events occurring during a mission, and will use a statistical model to improve the overall likelihood of mission success and reduce mission risk. The software will be developed in a way to take advantage parallelism and leverage large-scale cloud computing, allowing the user to scale the problem appropriately for the intended mission and available resources. We will use these SBIR funds to develop this software, test and validate it, and thoroughly document it. This product is intended for any entity involved in the design of low-thrust trajectories, including the commercial and government sectors.

This technology will allow mission design engineers to reduce the perceived risk of a low-thrust trajectory, and will support both the Science Mission Directorate and the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Any missions using low-thrust electric propulsion, similar to the Psyche and Dawn missions, will benefit from this software. Many planetary missions can benefit from electric propulsion, and some, such as rendezvous and sample return for asteroids and comets, are enabled by its use. Human missions can also use electric propulsion as it can deliver high payload masses to the Moon and Mars. Any organization planning a low-thrust mission will be able to use Missfit. Possible commercial applications include missions to cislunar space, missions to Mars (as recently solicited by NASA), and asteroid mining missions.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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