On the final trajectory to the solar poles

Abstract

The Ulysses spacecraft's encounter with Jupiter is described to illustrate the swing-by maneuver from the Jovian ecliptic plane to a trajectory over the solar poles. Details are provided of the Jupiter fly-by and the theoretical principles of the swing-by maneuver including the optimization of the 70-deg dwell time and three trajectory-correction maneuvers. NASA's Deep Space Network is utilized for Ulysses position determination, and the mission to the solar poles is expected to provide data on the chemical/physical interactions in the upper solar atmosphere.