Low energy interplanetary transfers using halo orbit hopping method with STK/astrogator

The principal objective of this investigation is to find numerically low-energy interplanetary transfers from Earth to distant planets. This is accomplished by the methods of Halo orbit insertion at Sun-Planet L2 Lagrangian point. The proposed method present the advantages of keeping continuous direct communications with Earth and, simultaneously, to perform extensive exploration of the planet. This method has been found to be 35% more fuel efficient than the conventional gravity assisted trajectory method but approximately 5 times slower. The proposed procedures, which have been conceived in STK/Astrogator, take advantage from the powerful SVD differential corrector.

Low energy interplanetary transfers using halo orbit hopping method with STK/astrogator Conference Paper