Lunar L1 earth-moon propellant depot orbital and transfer options analysis.

摘要

One concept in support of human exploration beyond low Earth orbit consist of placing fuel depots in the region of the Earth-Moon or Earth-Moon-Sun libration points. While several studies have considered this concept on halo orbits, the full range of libration point orbits has not been considered. This study further explores the broader range of quasi-periodic orbits near the lunar L1 point, and their associated set of transfers to low lunar orbits. In particular, a strategy to design transfer from a q.p.o. is presented and is applied on a sample mission scenario. Trade-of between V and transfer time and comparison with a halo orbit case are also considered.