Periodic Orbits in the Circular restricted Three-Body Problem and Transfers from the Lunar Gateway to Lunar Repeating Ground Track Orbits

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) for lunar mission design. First a number of families of periodic orbits, e.g. Lyapunov, Halo, Vertical, Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) families, are computed using differential correction techniques. The stability properties, and the presence of bifurcations along these families of orbits are studied in detail. Then we explore the use of invariant manifolds to compute heteroclinic and homoclinic transfers between L_1 and L_2 Lyapunov orbits. Finally we extend the CR3BP model by including the lunar gravitational field. We show how to compute families of lunar Repeating Ground Track (RGT) orbits at different altitudes and inclinations, and explore possible transfers between the Lunar Gateway and lunar RGT orbits.This thesis explores the use of periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) for lunar mission design. First a number of families of periodic orbits, e.g. Lyapunov, Halo, Vertical, Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) families, are computed using differential correction techniques. The stability properties, and the presence of bifurcations along these families of orbits are studied in detail. Then we explore the use of invariant manifolds to compute heteroclinic and homoclinic transfers between L_1 and L_2 Lyapunov orbits. Finally we extend the CR3BP model by including the lunar gravitational field. We show how to compute families of lunar Repeating Ground Track (RGT) orbits at different altitudes and inclinations, and explore possible transfers between the Lunar Gateway and lunar RGT orbits