End-to-end trajectory concept for close exploration of Saturn’s Inner Large Moons

Abstract

We present a trajectory concept for a small mission to the four inner large satellites of Saturn. Leveraging the high efficiency of electric propulsion, the concept enables orbit insertion around each of the moons, for arbitrarily long close observation periods. The mission starts with a EVVES interplanetary segment, where a combination of multiple gravity assists and deep space low thrust enables reduced relative arrival velocity at Saturn, followed by an unpowered capture via a sequence of resonant flybys with Titan. The transfers between moons use a low-thrust control law that connects unstable and stable branches of the invariant manifolds of planar Lyapunov orbits from the circular restricted three-body problem of each moon and Saturn. The exploration of the moons relies on homoclinic and heteroclinic connections of the Lyapunov orbits around the L1 and L2 equilibrium points. These science orbits can be extended for arbitrary lengths of time with negligible propellant usage. The strategy enables a comprehensive scientific exploration of the Inner Large Moons, located deeply inside the gravitational well of Saturn, which is unfeasible with conventional impulsive maneuvers due to excessive fuel consumption.