A periodic circumlunar orbit is presented that can be used by an interplanetary cruise ship for regular travel between Earth and the Moon. This Earth-Moon cycler orbit was revealed by introducing solar gravity and modest phasing maneuvers (average of 39 m/s per month) which yields close-Earth encounters every 7 or 10 days. Lunar encounters occur every 26 days and offer the chance for a smaller craft to depart the cycler and enter lunar orbit, or head for a Lagrange point (e.g., EM-L2 halo orbit), distant retrograde orbit (DRO), or interplanetary destination such as a near-Earth object (NEO) or Mars. Additionally, return-to-Earth abort options are available from many points along the cycling trajectory.


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    Title :

    A Free-Return Earth-Moon Cycler Orbit for an Interplanetary Cruise Ship


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference ; 2015 ; Vail, CO, United States


    Publication date :

    2015-08-09


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English






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