Preliminary Viability Assessment of Cislunar Periodic Orbits for Space Domain Awareness

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

9-2021

Abstract

Performing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) utilizing classical terrestrial and/or space-based sensors in near-Earth space becomes increasingly difficult when applied to the cislunar orbit regime. Therefore, cislunar periodic orbits are presented as a means to fill this capability gap. While there are many uses for periodic orbits, this work assesses the effectiveness of various Earth-Moon periodic orbits in a sample SDA mission architecture. Specifically, several different types of periodic orbits within cislunar space are modeled in order to evaluate their respective effectiveness in tracking/monitoring two notional satellites evenly spaced in a Lyapunov orbit about the L1 Lagrange point. The orbits analyzed are modeled in the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP). The propellant required to maintain the same trajectory when transitioning to the bicircular restricted four-body problem (BCR4BP) is also presented. The implementation of multiple dynamical models is sought in order to compare orbit maintenance costs when transitioning to higher fidelity models such as from the CR3BP to the BCR4BP. Notional space-to-space sensors are used to determine limitations of periodic orbit geometry for the SDA mission as a function of range, capability, and Sun/Earth/Moon exclusion angles. Visual magnitude is used in determining if a target is visible. Tabulated results of the findings are presented with recommendations for the most effective periodic orbit for cislunar SDA.

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Source Publication

2021 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS)

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