A note on libration point orbits, temporary capture and low-energy transfers

作者：Fantino E^*; Gomez G; Masdemont J J; Ren Y

来源：Acta Astronautica, 2010, 67(9-10): 1038-1052.

DOI：10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.06.037

• Circular restricted three-body problem
• Libration points
• Periodic orbits
• Invariant manifolds
• Two-body problem
• Weak stability boundary

In the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP) the weak stability boundary (WSB) is defined as a boundary set in the phase space between stable and unstable motion relative to the second primary. At a given energy level, the boundaries of such region are provided by the stable manifolds of the central objects of the L(1) and L(2) libration points, i.e., the two planar Lyapunov orbits. Besides, the unstable manifolds of libration point orbits (LPOs) around L(1) and L(2) have been identified as responsible for the weak or temporary capture around the second primary of the system. These two issues suggest the existence of natural dynamical channels between the Earth's vicinity and the Sun-Earth libration points L(1) and L(2). Furthermore, it has been shown that the Sun-Earth L(2) central unstable manifolds can be linked, through an heteroclinic connection, to the central stable manifolds of the L(2) point in the Earth-Moon three-body problem. This concept has been applied to the design of low energy transfers (LETS) from the Earth to the Moon. In this contribution we consider all the above three issues, i.e., weak stability boundaries, temporary capture and low energy transfers, and we discuss the role played by the invariant manifolds of LPOs in each of them. The study is made in the planar approximation.

• 出版日期2010-12