Trajectory design and optimisation for lunar transfer

This paper deals with the design and optimization of transfer trajectories from the Earth to the Moon. In particular, the requirements of the ESMO mission have been considered. This mission, currently in its phase A, is completely designed by European students: because of this, the budget must be kept as low as possible. The mission analysis has thus to focus on low-energy transfers, in order to obtain very low cost trajectories. Two different chemical transfers are considered: a trajectory through L1 lagrangian point, considering a restricted three body problem, and a more complex Belbruno transfer, taking into account the presence of the Sun. Some results, from another low-cost lunar mission, are presented.