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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