Preliminary Study of Utilizing Electric Propulsion for Rendezvous Operations with Example Cislunar Periodic Orbits
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-17-2023
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a growth in international attention placed on investigating cislunar mission operations. With this increased attention, methods for an effective source of propulsion for low-thrust maneuvers along these orbits must be investigated. This research aims to compare the propellant required to effectively rendezvous with a target spacecraft in different sections of its cislunar periodic orbit. The target is assumed to be in need of re-servicing, and electric propulsion is investigated as a potential means to save on propellant when performing rendezvous maneuvers. The results of this work show electric propulsion to be effective at rendezvousing with various locations in the same TCPO when response time is not critical.
Source Publication
33rd AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting
Recommended Citation
Wilmer, A. P., Jones, R., & Bettinger, R. A. (2023). Preliminary Study of Utilizing Electric Propulsion for Rendezvous Operationswith Example Cislunar Periodic Orbits. 33rd AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, Session: Cislunar Space Missions and Operations 1., AAS 2023-123.