Periodic Interplanetary Trajectories in a Restricted Coplanar Circular Two-Planet System

Paper number

IAC-06-C1.5.08

Author

Mr. Dmitry Pisarevsky, Technion, I.I.T., Israel

Coauthor

Dr. Alexander Kogan, Technion, I.I.T., Israel

Coauthor

Prof. Moshe Guelman, Technion, I.I.T., Israel

Year

2006

Abstract

Cycler orbits are periodic trajectories that indefinitely shuttle a spacecraft between two or more celestial bodies. Rather than accelerating, decelerating, and possibly discarding the habitation module for each leg of an interplanetary flight, a cycler system provides a reusable vehicle, that once placed in orbit, can shuttle crews and cargo between planets using very little fuel. Typically, the main disadvantages of cyclers are the long times between successive interplanetary legs and the large hyperbolic velocities encountered at the planets. Recent studies investigate Earth–Mars cyclers using Earth free-return trajectories patched together with gravity assisted
Earth flybys. There is interest in developing optimized solutions for these cyclers. 

In this paper we propose a new technique for generating cyclers. This new technique yields the whole manifold of periodic orbits, including coplanar and non-coplanar interplanetary trajectories. The periodic orbits are found under the approximation of orbits with consecutive collisions. The method expands the Hénon's study of collisional trajectories in the three-body problem. The manifold of sought periodic orbit is presented in a diagram that provides a clear idea of its structure. The manifold comprises three classes of periodic orbits in contact with one another. In its turn, every class consists of a discrete series of continuous one-parametric families. Their topology is discussed.

The method was applied to the problem of Earth-Mars cyclers. Earlier works devoted to this problem were performed under the assumption of passing Mars outside its gravity sphere. In contrast, here we allowed gravity-assisted maneuvers near Mars. They increase substantially the variety of periodic orbits. Representative cases of these new trajectories are presented in the paper. 

Abstract document

IAC-06-C1.5.08.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-C1.5.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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