An ant-colony based optimization algorithm for interplanetary trajectories

Abstract

Humanity’s interest in the heavens has led to space exploration, which helps to expand technology, create new industries and foster the links between nations. As an outgrowth of the mid-20th-century Cold War, the Space Race began. It was a series of competitive technology demonstrations between the United States and the Soviet Union, aiming to show superiority in spaceflight. Although the last years of the Space Race were focused on reaching the Moon, it is worthwhile to mention the effort made by the Soviet Union to visit other planets. In fact, in 1965, Venera 3 became the first spacecraft to land on another planet’s surface (Venus).

(excerpted from the Introduction)