This work studies the performance of periodic orbits to observe and conduct space traffic management (STM) in cislunar space, with the aim of finding a preferable trajectory for future missions focused on detection, tracking, initial orbit estimate formation, and orbit estimate maintenance. A measure is mathematically developed to quantitatively evaluate the observation performance of a given trajectory for observing cislunar space, taking into account the observer’s motion, the sun’s motion, apparent brightness of a reference object, a region of interest between the Earth and the moon, and other relevant constraints an observer might encounter, such as the location and eclipses of the Earth and moon. This measure is then used to study multiple families of repeating trajectories and phasing, simulating the dynamic paths of cislunar trajectories through time, with knowledge of the sun’s location to inform apparent magnitude calculations. A key finding of this work is that retrograde periodic orbits whose periods are resonant with the moon’s synodic period possess excellent characteristics for cislunar observation. Certain L1 Lyapunov and L2 Lyapunov trajectories are near-optimal when evaluated for observational capability and stability. The periodic orbits are capable of obtaining phasing such that, from the observer’s perspective, the sun is nearly constantly illuminating a region of interest in between the Earth and the moon.
Cislunar Periodic Orbit Analysis for Persistent Space Object Detection Capability
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 58 , 4 ; 1174-1185
2021-04-12
12 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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