Transfer design between neighborhoods of planetary moons in the circular restricted three-body problem

TL;DR

This paper introduces the moon-to-moon analytical transfer (MMAT) method, a new analytical approach for designing efficient transfers between moons in multi-body systems, validated through case studies of Jovian and Uranian systems.

Contribution

The paper presents the MMAT method, a novel analytical framework for transfer design between moons in the circular restricted three-body problem, applicable across different orbital planes.

Findings

The MMAT method effectively determines transfer feasibility.

Case studies validate MMAT's accuracy in Jovian and Uranian systems.

Transfers can be optimized using the analytical constraints provided.

Abstract

Given the interest in future space missions devoted to the exploration of key moons in the solar system and that may involve libration point orbits, an efficient design strategy for transfers between moons is introduced that leverages the dynamics in these multi-body systems. The moon-to-moon analytical transfer (MMAT) method is introduced, comprised of a general methodology for transfer design between the vicinities of the moons in any given system within the context of the circular restricted three-body problem, useful regardless of the orbital planes in which the moons reside. A simplified model enables analytical constraints to efficiently determine the feasibility of a transfer between two different moons moving in the vicinity of a common planet. In particular, connections between the periodic orbits of such two different moons are achieved. The strategy is applicable for any type of direct transfers that satisfy the analytical constraints. Case studies are presented for the Jovian and Uranian systems. The transition of the transfers into higher-fidelity ephemeris models confirms the validity of the MMAT method as a fast tool to provide possible transfer options between two consecutive moons.