Masters Theses

Abstract

"To find definite answers for the presence of water on the poles of Moon, to facilitate selection of future lunar landing sites and aid in construction of architectural bases, to assist proper lunar resource utilization and to improve lunar gravity models there is a great interest and need for highly accurate, reliable and efficient lunar surface mapping and communication. This thesis is intended to aid in proper selection of orbits for future lunar missions by demonstrating the impact of using electric propulsion on the search space of feasible and useful lunar orbits. The requirements for future lunar mapping and communication are studied and possible options to meet them are investigated. Based on coverage analysis, a constellation of three satellites in high altitude, circular and polar geo-synchronous orbit is proposed to provide an improved lunar communications architecture compared to those previously recommended in literature. Low altitude, circular and polar Sun-synchronous orbits are found to be the best candidate to meet future lunar mapping needs. The feasibility of using electric propulsion for stationkeeping and providing the orbit plane rotation required by these lunar mapping and communication options is determined"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Pernicka, Hank

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2009

Pagination

vii, 72 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2009 Sunil Aggarwal, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Nonlinear control theorySpace vehicles -- Control systemsSpace vehicles -- Electric propulsion systems

Thesis Number

T 9476

Print OCLC #

436057763

Electronic OCLC #

320898252

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