The Use of the Nash Bargaining Model in Trajectory Selection

Abstract

This paper describes a study performed to investigate the use of the Nash Bargaining Model in the selection of a trajectory for the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 (MJS77) Project spacecraft in the vicinity of Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn. This effort was exploratory in nature with the objective of evaluating the appropriateness of the approach. Although questions were raised regarding the use of the Nash concept of “fairness” as the design criterion and the practical interpretation of randomized outcomes, the results suggest that the model does have potential value as an aid in resolving complex mission design problems.