Design of a multi-moon orbiter
Shane D. Ross
Control and Dynamical Systems, California Institute of Technology
MC 107-81, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. E-mail: shane@cds.caltech.edu
(with
Wang Sang Koon,
Martin W. Lo,
and Jerrold E. Marsden)
ABSTRACT
The Multi-Moon Orbiter concept is introduced, wherein a single spacecraft
orbits several moons of Jupiter, allowing long duration observations.
The Delta-V requirements for this mission can be low if ballistic
captures and resonant gravity assists by Jupiter's moons are used.
For example, using only 22 m/s, a spacecraft initially injected in a Jovian orbit
can be directed into a capture orbit around Europa, orbiting both Callisto and Ganymede
enroute. The time of flight for this preliminary trajectory is four years, but may be reduced
by finding a compromise between fuel and time optimization during the inter-moon
transfer phases.
extended abstract
(pdf)
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