Orbit transfer via tube jumping in planar restricted problems of four bodies

Hideaki Yamato, David B. Spencer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the circular-restricted three-body system, there exist bundles of solution orbits, involving a close encounter with the second primary, inside invariant manifolds of libration point orbits. Under the influence of perturbing forces, these trajectory bundles change their locations and distributions, but still exist as bundles, serving as low-energy passageways and forming a network of transportation tubes. Taking full advantage of these transportation mechanics, orbit transfers within planetary systems, achieved by considerably lowered fuel consumption, can be generated in a highly systematic manner. We present a design framework capable of methodologically producing sets of planar transfers between two circular orbits as well as two elliptic orbits. In particular, it is shown that orbit transfers, consistent with planar dynamical systems of four bodies modeling the Jovian system, can be directly identified without differential corrections, and provide solutions with a significantly lower propulsion cost than the conventional Hohmann transfer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)321-328
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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