Low-Energy Lunar Trajectory Design

Jeffrey S. Parker, Ph.D., was a member of the technical staff at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from 2008 to 2012. Currently Dr. Parker is an Assistant Professor of Astrodynamics at CU-Boulder. His research interests are focused on astrodynamics, space exploration, and autonomous spacecraft operations.Rodney L. Anderson, Ph.D., is a member of the JPL technical staff, where he is involved in mission design and navigation and develops new methods for trajectory design. His research interests are focused on the application of dynamical systems theory to astrodynamics and mission design.

• Foreword xiPreface xiiiAcknowledgments xvAuthors xxi1 Introduction and Executive Summary 11.1 Purpose 11.2 Organization 11.3 Executive Summary 21.4 Backgound 111.5 The Lunar Transfer Problem 121.6 Historical Missions 141.7 Low-Energy Lunar Transfers 232 Methodology 272.1 Methodology Introduction 272.2 Physical Data 282.3 Time Systems 292.4 Coordinate Frames 322.5 Models 352.6 Low-Energy Mission Design 412.7 Tools 1143 Transfers to Lunar Libration Orbits 1173.1 Executive Summary 1173.2 Introducuton 1203.3 Direct Transfers Between Earth and Lunar Libration Orbits 1223.4 Low-Energy Transfers Between Earth and Lunar Libration Orbits 1613.5 Three-Body Orbit Transfers 2214 Transfers to Low Lunar Orbits 2274.1 Executive Summary 2274.2 Introduction 2294.3 Direct Transfers Between Earth and Low Lunar Orbit 2314.4 Low-Energy Transfers Between Earth and Low Lunar Orbit 2334.5 Transfers Between Lunar Libration Orbits and Low Lunar Orbits 2584.6 Transfers Between Low Lunar Orbits and the Lunar Surface 2585 Transfers to the Lunar Surface 2635.1 Executive Summary 2635.2 Introduction for Transfers to the Lunar Surface 2655.3 Methodology 2675.4 Analysis of Planar Transfers between the Earth and the Lunar Surface 2685.5 Low-Energy Spatial Transfers Between the Earth and the Lunar Surface 2775.6 Transfers Between Lunar Libration Orbits and the Lunar Surface 2945.7 Transfers Between Low Lunar Orbits and the Lunar Surface 2985.8 Conclusions Regardingh Transfers to the Lunar Surface 2986 Operations 2996.1 Operations Executive Summary 2996.2 Operations Introduction 3006.3 Launch Sites 3016.4 Launch Vehicles 3016.5 Designing a Launch Period 3046.6 Navigation 3326.7 Spacecraft Systems Design 349Appendix A: Locating the Lagrange Points 351References 359