AAS 09-256 CONNECTING LIBRATION POINT ORBITS OF DIFFERENT ENERGIES USING INVARIANT MANIFOLDS

This research presents a method of using invariant manifolds to connect libration point orbits. The method presented is applicable to constructing transfers between planar or three-dimensional orbits that have different initial energies. Two deterministic maneuvers are used to connect an unstable manifold trajectory of the first orbit to a stable manifold trajectory of the second orbit. The use of the twobody eccentricity and normalized angular momentum vectors is demonstrated as a viable approach to locating unstable/stable manifold trajectory pairs with low transfer costs. A genetic algorithm is used to vary the parameters that define the transfer. Preliminary results indicate that this method produces fuel costs up to 72% less than transfer trajectories that do not employ the use of manifolds at the expense of increased transfer time. This technique is envisioned as a practical application to decreasing fuel costs and adding flexibility to mission design.

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