Halo Orbits Near Small Bodies in the Elliptic Restricted Problem

Abstract

In this study, the feasibility of using halo orbits to explore small solar system objects, including asteroids and comets, is considered. Human-based missions in particular are the focus, although robotic missions are included as well. Specifically, the existence of L1/L2 periodic orbits is demonstrated by numerically computing halo-like orbits in the circular as well as elliptic restricted three-body problems for a range of small mass ratios. A two-level differential corrector scheme is utilized for the numerical continuation of halo orbits from the circular restricted problem into the elliptic problem. A stability analysis of these orbits is made and the results are compared with similar orbits in the Sun-Earth system. In considering a human exploration mission to asteroids or comets, halo orbits may provide benefits including a safe vantage point for staging/observation, reduced perturbation effects from the nonuniform gravitational field of the body, fewer communication blackouts, ease of guidance and control of a lander on the surface, etc. This work will be followed by a complete analysis of perturbation effects on these orbits along with an examination of station-keeping costs. © 2012 by Bharat Mahajan, Henry J. Pernicka.

Meeting Name

AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference 2012 (2012: Aug. 13-16, Minneapolis, MN)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Communication Blackouts; Gravitational Fields; Guidance and Control; Human Exploration Missions; Numerical Continuation; Perturbation Effect; Restricted Problem; Restricted Three-Body Problem

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

16 Aug 2012

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