Rendezvous trajectory design of logistics resupply missions to the lunar gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit

Abstract

Logistics resupply to the lunar Gateway is one of the candidates for the Japan's contribution to the Artemis program. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is presently developing the HTV-X, a new unmanned spacecraft developed as the successor to the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). The HTV-X will transport supplies to the International Space Station. JAXA is also investigating enhancements to the HTV-X for logistics resupply to the lunar Gateway. A Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) of the L2 southern family was selected as the Gateway operational orbit. This paper proposes a trajectory design for missions to the Gateway in NRHO. The rendezvous scenario consists of a transfer from the Earth to NRHO, a rendezvous, and proximity operations in NRHO. Monte Carlo simulations are performed in all phases to identify the effects of navigation and control errors. In addition, the simulations evaluate the designed trajectory's fuel consumption, safety, and operational feasibility. This paper also identifies the GN&C requirements for rendezvous in NRHO determined by the study.