Multiple-satellite-aided capture trajectories at Jupiter using the Laplace resonance

Abstract

Satellite-aided capture is a mission design concept used to reduce the delta-v required to capture into a planetary orbit. The technique employs close flybys of a massive moon to reduce the energy of the planet-centered orbit. A sequence of close flybys of two or more of the Galilean moons of Jupiter may further decrease the delta-v cost of Jupiter orbit insertion. A Ganymede-Io sequence can save 207 m/s of delta-v over a single Io flyby. A phase angle analysis based on the Laplace resonance is used to find triple-satellite-aided capture sequences involving Io, Europa, and Ganymede. Additionally, the near-resonance of Callisto and Ganymede is used to find triple-satellite-aided capture sequences involving Callisto, Ganymede, and another moon. A combination of these techniques is used to find quadruple-satellite-aided capture sequences that involve gravity-assists of all four Galilean moons. These sequences can save a significant amount of delta-v and have the potential to benefit both NASA's Jupiter Europa orbiter mission and ESA's Jupiter Ganymede orbiter mission.

Jovian Orbit Capture and Eccentricity Reduction Using Electrodynamic Tether Propulsion

“…With the lower bounding solution being the trajectory that does no flyby maneuvers, the upper bounding (and highly unlikely) case of three consecutive flybys of the Jovian moons [18] is also found. Note that [19] gives a detailed analysis of ballistic Jupiter captures using multiple flybys.…”

Autonomous Navigation for Deep Space Missions

“…By exploiting some of these dynamics, the delta-v can be reduced substantially for capture, or more satellites can be visited in a shorter amount of time 20 . These options do require, however, short turnaround times between successive satellite flybys.…”

A numerical study of powered Swing-Bys around the Moon

“…Brasil et al (2015) also used close approaches with Jupiter moons in a gravitational capture problem. The use of this type of maneuver in problems of capture can be seen in Nock and Upholf (1979) and Lynam et al (2011). Other applications can be found in D' Amario et al (1981Amario et al ( , 1982 and Byrnes and D'Amario (1982), that described those maneuvers when applied to the Galileo mission.…”