Practical Geocentric Orbits in the Sun-Earth Spatial Elliptic Restricted Three-Body Problem

Abstract

This paper presents 14 new families of geocentric orbits in the Sun-Earth spatial elliptic three-body problem (ER3BP). The main driver for this study is the need to find practical geocentric orbits that remain within a bounded distance from Earth, thus allowing high data- rate communication while ensuring safe operational environment far from thermal perturbations and visual occultations as well as Earth's magnetic and radiation fields. The orbit characterization procedure is performed using a novel approach. Optimal initial conditions are found using niching genetic algorithms, which render global optimization while permitting several optimal or sub-optimal solutions to co-exist. This approach yields a diverse probing of the state- space of the ER3BP. Stability of the orbits is determined using the notion of practical stability. The effect of solar radiation pressure and the Moon's gravitational perturbation are simulated, showing that the orbits are not significantly affected. This feature implies that no station-keeping is required. Optimal direct transfer trajectories from Low Earth orbit are briefly examined, showing that insertion into the characterized orbits may be performed using modest energetic requirements.