On halo orbits spacecraft stabilization

Abstract The paper deals with the application of recent non-linear control techniques to the problem of tracking and maintaining a given satellite on prescribed orbits around the so-called translunar libration point L2. Such orbits, known in literature as Halo Orbits, have the property of ensuring visibility both from the dark side of the Moon and from Earth at any time. Their importance is strictly related to the placement of a base situated on the dark side of the Moon for advanced space missions as deep space observation, solar system exploration and scientific researches in a low gravity enviroment. Because of the instability of the equilibrium L2, such orbits cannot be maintained without an active control. In this paper we investigate the application of nonlinear control techniques to solve the problem. A comparison between linear and nonlinear methods is developed and simulation results are discussed.