Problem A of 9th China trajectory optimization competition: Problem description and summary of the results

From September 1st 2017 to October 15th 2017, the 9th China Trajectory Optimization Competition (CTOC) was jointly held by the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Institute of Electronic System Engineering, and Tsinghua Space Center. The competition contains two problems, where problem A focuses on the cluster flight orbit design and optimization for GEO satellite beams monitoring, and problem B focuses on the design and deployment of a satellite navigation regional augmentation system. In this short communication, a brief history of China trajectory optimization competition is reviewed firstly. Then, description of problem A is presented. Finally, the competition results and brief discussion are given.