Publication Date:
2019-01-25
Description:
A new mission concept is introduced for future astrophysical observatories. This concept is to use a solar orbit that remains bounded to the Earth at a large distance on the order of several million kilometers. These orbits are termed here distant Retrograde Orbits (DRO's). This type of orbit is ideal for a space telescope that needs to be separated from the Earth by a large distance to avoid the near-Earth environmental effects, yet needs to remain bounded within some pre-defined distance for communication purposes. Another application is for a solar storm warning system that can provide warning times greater than those available from a similar system at the interior libration point of the Sun-Earth/Moon system. Several classes of DRO's in the Sun-Earth/Moon system are presented. The associated launch and insertion energies for impulsive and continuous thrust transfers from a low Earth parking orbit are investigated.
Keywords:
ASTRODYNAMICS
Type:
In: Spaceflight mechanics, 1993; AAS(AIAA Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, 3rd, Pasadena, CA, Feb. 22-24, 1993, Parts 1 & 2 . A95-81344 (ISSN 0065-3438); p. 1177-1200
Format:
text
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