The behavior of low altitude near-circular lunar orbits is a key design issue for some missions in the proposed Space Exploration Initiative. The lunar gravity field strongly perturbs low altitude orbits, so an effective orbit maintenance strategy is needed. This strategy must contend with the long term orbit evolution due to the zonal gravity field. Two possible orbit control scenarios are passive control using a frozen orbit and active orbit control using maneuvers. A maneuver strategy can be designed which optimizes the propellant required for long term orbit sustenance. The long term requirements dominate the total propellant required for orbit control. Additional propellant may be required to offset the impact of medium period gravity field effects. Careful selection of maneuver times and directions, however, can eliminate any medium period penalty.


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    Title :

    Orbit maintenance for low altitude near-circular lunar orbits


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1992-02-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :


    Orbit Maintenance For Low Altitude Near-Circular Lunar Orbits

    Sweetser, Theodore H. / Cook, Richard A. | NTRS | 1992





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