Abstract
This paper presents a navigation strategy to fly to the Moon along a Weak Stability Boundary transfer trajectory. A particular strategy is devised to ensure capture into an uncontrolled relatively stable orbit at the Moon. Both uncertainty in the orbit determination process and in the control of the thrust vector are included in the navigation analysis. The orbit determination process is based on the definition of an optimal filtering technique that is able to meet accuracy requirements at an acceptable computational cost. Three sequential filtering techniques are analysed: an extended Kalman filter, an unscented Kalman filter and a Kalman filter based on high order expansions. The analysis shows that only the unscented Kalman filter meets the accuracy requirements at an acceptable computational cost. This paper demonstrates lunar weak capture for all trajectories within a capture corridor defined by all the trajectories in the neighbourhood of the nominal one, in state space. A minimum Δv strategy is presented to extend the lifetime of the spacecraft around the Moon. The orbit determination and navigation strategies are applied to the case of the European Student Moon Orbiter.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Battin, R.H., Levine, G.M.: Applications of Kalman filtering techniques to the Apollo program. Theory and Applications of Kalman filtering, pp. 335–361 (1970)
Bate, R.R., Mueller, D.D., White, J.E.: Fundamentals of Astrodynamics. Dover Publications, Mineolia (1971)
Belbruno, E.A.: Lunar capture orbits, a method for constructing Earth-Moon trajectories and the lunar GAS mission. In: Proceedings of AIAA/DGLR/JSASS International Propl. Conferene, AIAA paper No 87-1054 (1987)
Belbruno, E.A., Carrico, J.P.: Calculation of weak stability boundary ballistic lunar transfer trajectories. In: AIAA, 2000. AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Denver, Colorado
Crassidis, J.L., Junkins, J.L.: Optimal Estimation of Dynamic Systems. Haykin, S. (ed.) chap. 5 (2001)
Croisard, N., et al.: European Student Moon Orbiter mission analysis. Phase A1 Report, Glasgow University, Glasgow (2009)
Gibbings, A., Zuiani, F., Novak, D., Vasile, M.: Optimal design of low-energy transfers to highly eccentric frozen orbits around the Moon. In: IAC 2010-B4-8, 61st International Astronautical Congress, Prague
Julier, J., Uhlmann, K., Durrant-Whyte, H.F.: A new approach for filtering nonlinear systems. In: Proceedings of the American Control Conference, Seattle, Washington (1995)
Koon W.S., Lo M.W., Marsden J.E., Ross S.D.: Low energy transfer to the Moon. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 81, 63–71 (2001)
Landgraf, M.: MAS Working Paper No xxx: IXO Mission Analysis Guidelines—draft. ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany (2009)
Makó Z., Szenkovits F., Salamon J., Oláh-Gál R.: Stable and unstable orbits around Mercury. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 108, 357–370 (2010)
MathWorksTM. http://www.mathworks.com/help/toolbox/optim/ug/fmincon.html (2010)
Mayback, P.: Stochastic Models, Estimation and Control, vol. 2, Academic Press, New York, Chap. 12
Montenbruck O., Gill E.: Satellite Orbits: Models, Methods and Applications. Springer, Berlin (2000)
Park, R., Scheeres, D.: Nonlinear semi-analytic method for spacecraft navigation. In: AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit, Keystone, Colorado, 21–24 August (2006a)
Park R., Scheeres D.: Nonlinear mapping of Gaussian statistics: theory and applications to spacecraft trajectory design. J. Guid. Control Dyn. 29(6), 1367–1375 (2006b)
Park, R.: Nonlinear trajectory navigation. PhD Dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2007)
Thornton, C.L., Border, J.S.: Radiometric Tracking Techniques for Deep-Space Navigation. JPL Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series. Wiley, Hoboken (2003)
Vallado, D.A., McClain, W.D.: Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, 2nd edn. Space Technology Library (2004)
Van der Weg, W. J., Vasile, M.: Mission analysis and transfer design for the European Student Moon Orbiter. In: AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Girdwood, Alaska, July 31–August 4 (2011)
Walker R., Cross M.: The European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO): a lunar mission for education, outreach and science. Acta Astronaut. 66(7–8), 1177–1188 (2010)
Zuiani, F., Gibbings, A., Vetrisano, M., Rizzi, F., Martinez, C., Vasile, M.: Orbit determination and control for the European Student Moon orbiter. Acta Astronaut. (2012). doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.03.031
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vetrisano, M., Van der Weg, W. & Vasile, M. Navigating to the Moon along low-energy transfers. Celest Mech Dyn Astr 114, 25–53 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-012-9436-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-012-9436-9