Affiliation:
1. University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
2. Technical University of Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
Abstract
In the framework of the planar Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) and for a given value of the Jacobi constant, a necessary condition for a ballistic capture is a passage through zero two-body energy, which defines a region in the synodic plane called energy transition domain (ETD). The latter is the locus of points where the zero-energy condition and selected Jacobi constant are simultaneously fulfilled. This paper shows how an ETD can be described analytically and exploited for the efficient computation and insightful classification of the complete set of ballistic capture trajectories in the planar problem. The new methodology is applied to different three-body systems and highlights the influence of the three-body energy on key aspects of the capture mechanism, such as prograde to retrograde transition. Other interesting results concern three-body energy limits, collisions, long-duration captures, altitude range throughout the capture process, and the origin of ballistic capture orbits.
Funder
European Regional Development Fund
Agencia Estatal de Investigación
European Union
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Subject
Applied Mathematics,Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Space and Planetary Science,Aerospace Engineering,Control and Systems Engineering