AAS 97-709
TRAJECTORY DESIGN USING A DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS APPROACH WITH APPLICATION TO GENESIS
K.C. Howell, B.T. Barden and M.W. Lo - Purdue University
Abstract
Much recent interest has focused on missions to the vicinity of the libration points in the Sun-Earth system. Libration point missions require a baseline trajectory concept derived from solutions to the three-body problem. This work has focused on obtaining a clearer understanding of the fundamental, underlying dynamics associated with the trajectory design problem in such multi-body regimes. This type of analysis involves issues such as periodic orbits; stable, unstable, and center manifolds; quasi-periodic motion; and, the generation of surfaces that represent the evolution of a particular trajectory or a family of solutions. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's recent GENESIS mission includes a transfer to an L1 Lissajous trajectory followed by an Earth return. To accomplish the trajectory design, insights from dynamical systems theory have been exploited. Along the way, some intriguing new options appeared as well. Although not appropriate for the final GENESIS trajectory, they s