Road Map to L4/L5 with a solar sail

Farrés, Ariadna; Heiligers, Jeannette; Miguel, Narcís

doi:10.2514/6.2018-0211

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In fact, the topological properties of low-thrust trajectories in the CR3BP can be properly shaped using low-thrust propulsion, making feasible some interesting mission scenarios that would be naturally infeasible otherwise. Similar considerations hold if solar sail propulsion is employed, with the advantage of not requiring any propellant expenditure [13]. In some mission scenarios, low-thrust can facilitate and reduce the time needed to complete orbit maneuvers aimed at reaching a specified operational condition [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Low-Thrust Orbit Dynamics and Periodic Trajectories in the Earth–Moon System

Leo

Pontani

2022

Aerotec. Missili Spaz.

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This study employs the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP) as the dynamical framework, for the purpose of investigating low-thrust orbit dynamics in the Earth–Moon system. First, the effect of low thrust on some dynamical structures that exist in the CR3BP is analyzed. Low-thrust capture and escape dynamics in the proximity of the Moon is investigated for preliminary mission analysis. Then, low-thrust periodic orbits—with potential practical application—are detected. To do this, the theorem of mirror trajectories, proven 6 decades ago, is extended to low-thrust trajectories. This represents the theoretical premise for the definition and use of a numerical search methodology based on modified Poincaré maps. This approach leads to identifying several low-thrust periodic orbits in the Earth–Moon system that are infeasible if only unpowered paths are considered. Two possible applications of low-thrust periodic orbits are described: (a) cycling transfer trajectories that connect Earth and Moon continuously, and (b) non-Keplerian periodic paths about the Moon, with potential use as operational orbits for satellite constellations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Fig. 13 Earth-Moon cycling orbits; primaries are denoted with a pink dot, while the collinear libration points are marked with an asterisk Funding Open access funding provided by Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.…”

Section: Declarationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Thrust Orbit Dynamics and Periodic Trajectories in the Earth–Moon System

Leo

Pontani

2022

Aerotec. Missili Spaz.

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show abstract

“…Using the obtained trajectory as an initial guess for more advanced numerical methods, such as multiple shooting differential correction, or even optimization methods, will allow more frequent and smoother sail attitude changes along the trajectory. Such an approach has already been demonstrated to be successful for finding photon-sail heteroclinic-like connections in and between a range of Sun-planet systems [15][16][17] for linkage errors of similar magnitude and may therefore also allow finding feasible and potentially time-optimal transfers in the α-Cen AB system.…”

Section: Motion Between Equilibriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a final novel contribution, this Note investigates heteroclinic-like connections between the newly found equilibria. Again, while photon-sail heteroclinic-like connections have been investigated within our own single-star Solar System [15][16][17], the search for such transfers under the effect of two radiative stars is new and allows further insights in the dynamics and maneuverability of a photon-sail in a two-radiative ER3BP such as that of the Alpha Centauri system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%