This invention discloses an optimization method for low-thrust transfer between circular orbits based on piecewise constant
yaw angle guidance, belonging to the field of
spacecraft orbit control technology. The implementation method of this invention is as follows: the low-thrust transfer process is divided into a transfer segment, a drift segment, and an adjustment segment; a piecewise constant
yaw angle guidance strategy is proposed, using
latitude argument angles α, β, γ as switching points, dividing each
orbital period into four arc segments, maintaining a constant
yaw angle and thrust switching state within each arc segment; based on the
Gaussian perturbation equation, analytical solutions are derived for the long-term changes of the orbital semi-major axis,
orbital inclination, and
right ascension of the ascending node under this strategy and perturbation influence; the parameters of the optimal drift
orbit are estimated based on the impulse assumption; a mixed-integer nonlinear
programming model is established with the objective of minimizing the total velocity increment, and based on the dynamic relationship that "inclination changes are only generated by the thrust of arc segment 1," the model is transformed into several nonlinear
programming sub-problems for solution, obtaining near-optimal guidance parameters. This invention avoids tedious numerical integration, significantly improves the efficiency of
orbit design and optimization, and the resulting transfer scheme has fuel consumption close to the theoretical optimum. Moreover, the
algorithm is robust and suitable for rapid orbit design tasks such as large-scale
constellation deployment.