A lunar flyby for a tridimensional Earth-to-Earth mission. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gagg Filho, Luiz Arthur; da Silva Fernandes, Sandro
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 151(2018)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 242
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: 3D lunar patched-conic approximation -- Flyby maneuver -- Earth-to-Earth mission -- Changing plane maneuver -- Orbital transfer -- Spatial three-body problem; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: The present work formulates an orbital transfer for an Earth-to-Earth mission between non coplanar orbits with different altitudes with a special feature: the occurrence of a lunar flyby during the transfer orbit. This lunar flyby is intended to help change the plane of motion of the spacecraft without fuel consumption. Only two-impulsive trajectories are considered with the velocity increments applied at the initial and final orbits. In order to solve this problem, a 3D patched-conic approximation associated with a two-point boundary value problem is proposed. The same transfer problem is formulated considering the spatial circular restricted three-body problem (SCR3BP). The results of the patched-conic approximation is compared with the results of the SCR3BP showing a good agreement between the models. This work also determines several trajectories in order to perform a study of the fuel consumption considering several inclinations and altitudes of both initial and final orbits around the Earth. The longitude of the ascending node of the initial orbit, and, the altitude of close approach with the Moon during the flyby are also analyzed. According to the total velocity increment analysis, the changing plane assisted by a lunar flyby can be very favorable. Despite the increase of the time of flight, the saving of fuel is considerable. Indeed, the total velocity increment of this kind of maneuver is in some cases better than the velocity increment provided by the bi-parabolic transfer. Highlights: The proposed 3 d patched-conic approximation does not have velocity discontinuities. The lunar flyby transfer is favorable when the changing of inclination are larger. Larger values of the initial orbit altitude contribute to the lunar flyby transfer. The fuel consumption of the maneuver can be lower than the bi-parabolic transfer. The proposed patched-conic results show good agreement with the three-body problem.