The rocket problem in general relativity
This work provides a theoretical framework for optimizing rocket trajectories in curved spacetime, relevant for relativistic astrodynamics.
The authors derive covariant optimality conditions for rocket trajectories in general relativity and apply them to solve minimum fuel consumption transfers between galaxies in a FLRW model and between circular orbits in Schwarzschild spacetime.
We derive the covariant optimality conditions for rocket trajectories in general relativity, with and without a bound on the magnitude of the proper acceleration. The resulting theory is then applied to solve two specific problems: the minimum fuel consumption transfer between two galaxies in a FLRW model, and between two stable circular orbits in the Schwarzschild spacetime.