Libration Point Orbit Utilization for Tactical Advantage in Communications, Surveillance, and Risk Mitigation

Abstract

This project focuses on the benefits and challenges associated with the utilization of Earth-Moon (lunar) libration point orbits (LPOs) for communications with and surveillance from military satellites. DoD- relevant topical areas include Space Situational Awareness and Operationally Responsive Space capabilities with emphasis on Space-Based Space Surveillance (SBSS), orbital camouflage, and reducing risks of both purposeful interference and collisions with space debris that are associated with space assets in low Earth (LEO) or geosynchronous (GEO) orbit. In the first year of the project efforts concentrated on 1) finding fuel-optimal invariant manifold-based transfers via impulsive maneuvers to the lunar L1 and 3 La grange points, 2) studying Earth and GEO observability from single and multiple LPOs, and 3) analysis of thrust dispersion errors at manifold injection and the development of guidance laws to mitigate their effects. In the second year efforts concentrated on 1) finding fuel-optimal transfers via impulsive maneuvers to a selection of halo orbits about the lunar L1 and L3 LPOs, 2) finding fuel-optimal transfers to a Liapunov orbit about the lunar L 1 point using mixed impulsive and continuous thrust, 3) studying Earth and GEO observability from single LPO about the L 1 and L 3 points and a constellation of spacecraft in multiple L1 and L3 LPOs, and 4) the development of continuous (LQR-based) and impulsive guidance laws to mitigate the effects of thrust errors for the optimal impulsive manifold-based transfers to the L1 LPO. In the third year efforts have concentrated on 1) obtaining improved impulsive transfers from Earth to a halo orbit about the lunar L3 point, 2) obtaining statistical fuel budgets for impulsive guidance for use in fuel-optimal transfers to lunar L1 LPOs, 3) obtaining low-cost periodic-gain feedback control laws for station keeping about lunar L1 LPOs and comparing their performance with more traditional control schemes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 27, 2014
Accession Number
ADA623700

Entities

People

  • Eric Butcher

Organizations

  • New Mexico State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Altitude
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Department Of Defense
  • Ephemerides
  • Equations
  • Genetic Algorithms
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Grids
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Research
  • Solar Radiation
  • Space Based
  • Space Debris
  • Space Surveillance
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers