Periodic orbits with constant control acceleration in the restricted three body problem

Abstract

In the restricted three body problem, each of the Lagrange points is in equilibrium between gravitational forces of the two primary bodies and centrifugal force in the rotating frame. A non-equilibrium point, which is not at Lagrange points, can be turned into an artificial equilibrium point (AEP) by canceling any residual acceleration at the non-equilibrium points with continuous control acceleration. This study describes an investigation of periodic orbits around the AEPs in the restricted three body problem. The non-linearized equations of motion in this problem are linearized around the AEPs, and periodic orbits are generated by simple constant control acceleration in three-dimensional space.