A new algorithm for designing free-return lunar flyby trajectories between the Earth and the moon is developed. The pseudostate theory is adopted to get the initial solution of the free-return trajectory. Using this initial solution, an improved differential-correction method is employed to find the final solution with a more complicated dynamic model. Compared with the original differential-correction method, the improved one can extend the convergence domain and have a fast convergence speed. A large number of numerical examples are carried out to test the reliability and efficiency of the algorithm, and also study the global features of free-return lunar flyby trajectories. The features are mainly affected by the geometric relationship between the Earth and the moon, the altitude of perilune, and the transfer time from perigee to perilune.
Design of Earth—Moon Free-Return Trajectories
Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics ; 36 , 1 ; 263-271
2013-01-01
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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