A review of periodic orbits in the circular restricted three-body problem

This review article aims to give a comprehensive review of periodic orbits in the circular restricted three-body problem(CRTBP),which is a standard ideal model for the Earth-Moon system and is closest to the practical mechanical model.It focuses the attention on periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon system.This work is primarily motivated by a series of missions and plans that take advantages of the three-body periodic orbits near the libration points or around two gravitational celestial bodies.Firstly,simple periodic orbits and their classification that is usually considered to be early work before 1970 are summarized,and periodic orbits around Lagrange points,either planar or three-dimensional,are intensively studied during past decades.Subsequently,stability index of a periodic orbit and bifurcation analysis are presented,which demonstrate a guideline to find more periodic orbits inspired by bifurcation signals.Then,the practical techniques for computing a wide range of periodic orbits and associated quasi-periodic orbits,as well as constructing database of periodic orbits by numerical searching techniques are also presented.For those unstable periodic orbits,the station keeping maneuvers are reviewed.Finally,the applications of periodic orbits are presented,including those in practical missions,under consideration,and still in conceptual design stage.This review article has the function of bridging between engineers and researchers,so as to make it more convenient and faster for engineers to understand the complex restricted three-body problem(RTBP).At the same time,it can also provide some technical thinking for general researchers.

Halo Orbits around Sun-Earth L1 in Photogravitational Restricted Three-Body Problem with Oblateness of Smaller Primary

This paper deals with generation of halo orbits in the three-dimensional photogravitational restricted three-body problem, where the more massive primary is considered as the source of radiation and the smaller primary is an oblate spheroid with its equatorial plane coincident with the plane of motion. Both the terms due to oblateness of the smaller primary are considered. Numerical as well as analytical solutions are obtained around the Lagrangian point L1, which lies between the primaries, of the Sun-Earth system. A comparison with the real time flight data of SOHO mission is made. Inclusion of oblateness of the smaller primary can improve the accuracy. Due to the effect of radiation pressure and oblateness, the size and the orbital period of the halo orbit around L1 are found to increase.

Port-Hamiltonian Based Control of the Sun-Earth 3D Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem: Stabilization of the <i>L</i>₁Lagrange Point

In this paper, we use Port-Hamiltonian framework to stabilize the Lagrange points in the Sun-Earth three-dimensional Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP). Through rewriting the CRTBP into Port-Hamiltonian framework, we are allowed to design the feedback controller through energy-shaping and dissipation injection. The closed-loop Hamiltonian is a candidate of the Lyapunov function to establish nonlinear stability of the designed equilibrium, which enlarges the application region of feedback controller compared with that based on linearized dynamics. Results show that the Port-Hamiltonian approach allows us to successfully stabilize the Lagrange points, where the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) may fail. The feedback system based on Port-Hamiltonian approach is also robust against white noise in the inputs.

Dynamics of Satellite Formation Utilizing the Perturbed Restricted Three-Body Problem

The dynamics of satellites formation is of great interest for the space mission. This work discusses a more efficient model of the relative motion dynamics of satellites formation. The model is based on employing the concepts restricted three-body problem (R3BP) and for more accuracy, it considers the effects of both oblateness and radiation pressure on deputy relative motion w.r.t the chief satellite. A model of deputy relative motion w.r.t the chief satellite is derived in the local-vertical local-horizontal system and simplified assuming the concept of the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP). The deputy equations of motion were rewritten in the form of recurrence relations and solved numerically using the Lie series approach. Assuming that the formation is revolving around the Moon in the Earth-Moon system, the effects of both oblateness and radiation pressure on the deputy satellite orbit were assessed through a particular example of satellites formation. A comparison between the perturbed and unperturbed R3BP shows a significant difference in the deputy relative position that has to be considered for the formation dynamics.

A New Critical Value Concerning the Genealogy of Long Period Families at L_4 in the Restricted Three-body Problem

We found another critical mass ratio value -↑μ between μ4 and μ5 concerning the genealogy of the long period family around the equilateral equilibrium point L4 in the restricted three-body problem. This value has not been pointed out before. We used numerical computations to show how the long period family evolves around this critical value. The case is similar to that of the critical values between μ2 and μ4, with slight difference in evolution details.

Oblateness Effect of Saturn on Halo Orbits of L1 and L2 in Saturn-Satellites Restricted Three-Body Problem

The Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP) with more massive primary as an oblate spheroid with its equatorial plane coincident with the plane of motion of the primaries is considered to generate the halo orbits around L1 and L2 for the seven satellites (Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan and Iapetus) of Saturn in the frame work of CRTBP. It is found that the oblateness effect of Saturn on the halo orbits of the satellites closer to Saturn has significant effect compared to the satellites away from it. The halo orbits L1 and L2 are found to move towards Saturn with oblateness.

Universal method for designing periodic orbits by homotopy classes in the elliptic restricted three-body problem

The current methods for designing periodic orbits in the elliptic restricted three-body problem(ERTBP)have the disadvantages of targeting limited orbits and ergodic searches and considering only symmetric orbits.A universal method for designing periodic orbits is proposed in this paper.First,the homotopy classes of orbits are structured based on their topological structures.Second,a dynamic model based on homotopy classes,ranging from the circular restricted three-body problem(CRTBP)to the ERTBP,can be built using the homotopy method.Third,a multi-and a single-period orbit were selected based on the resonance ratios.Finally,the corresponding orbit in the ERTBP was computed by modifying the initial condition of the orbit in the CRTBP.This method,without an ergodic search,can extend to any orbit,including an asymmetric orbit in the CRTBP,to the ERTBP model,and the two orbits are of the same homotopy class.Examples of the Earth–Moon ERTBP are presented to verify the efficiency of this method.

Restricted Three-Body Problem in Cylindrical Coordinates System

In this paper, the equations of motion for spatial restricted circular three body problem will be established using the cylindrical coordinates. Initial value procedure that can be used to compute both the cylindrical and Cartesian coordinates and velocities is also developed.

Restricted Three-Body Problem in Different Coordinate Systems

In this paper of the series, the equations of motion for the spatial circular restricted three-body problem in sidereal spherical coordinates system were established. Initial value procedure that can be used to compute both the spherical and Cartesian sidereal coordinates and velocities was also developed. The application of the procedure was illustrated by numerical example and graphical representations of the variations of the two sidereal coordinate systems.

Chaos in Planar, Circular, Restricted Three-Body Problem

In this article we analyze the motion of a test particle of a planar, circular, restricted three-body problem in resonance, using the Kustaanheimo-Stiefel formalism. We show that a good qualitative description of the motion can be reduced to three simple equations for semi-major axis, eccentricity and resonance angle. Studying these equations reveals the onset of chaos, and sheds a new light on its weak nature. The 7:4 resonance is used as an example.

Halo Orbits in the Photo-Gravitational Restricted Three-Body Problem

We study of halo orbits in the circular restricted three-body problem (CRTBP) with both the primaries as sources of radiation. The positioning of the triangular equilibrium points is discussed in a rotating coordinate system.

Lissajous Orbits at the Collinear Libration Points in the Restricted Three-Body Problem with Oblateness

In the present work, the collinear equilibrium points of the restricted three-body problem are studied under the effect of oblateness of the bigger primary using an analytical and numerical approach. The periodic orbits around these points are investigated for the Earth-Moon system. The Lissajous orbits and the phase spaces are obtained under the effect of oblateness.

Artificial Equilibrium Points in the Low-Thrust Restricted Three-Body Problem When Both the Primaries Are Oblate Spheroids

This paper studies the existence and stability of the artificial equilibrium points (AEPs) in the low-thrust restricted three-body problem when both the primaries are oblate spheroids. The artificial equilibrium points (AEPs) are generated by canceling the gravitational and centrifugal forces with continuous low-thrust at a non-equilibrium point. Some graphical investigations are shown for the effects of the relative parameters which characterized the locations of the AEPs. Also, the numerical values of AEPs have been calculated. The positions of these AEPs will depend not only also on magnitude and directions of low-thrust acceleration. The linear stability of the AEPs has been investigated. We have determined the stability regions in the xy, xz and yz-planes and studied the effect of oblateness parameters A1(0A1?and ?A2(0A2<1) on the motion of the spacecraft. We have found that the stability regions reduce around both the primaries for the increasing values of oblateness of the primaries. Finally, we have plotted the zero velocity curves to determine the possible regions of motion of the spacecraft.

A novel method of periodic orbit computation in circular restricted three-body problem

Periodic orbits are fundamental keys to understand the dynamical system of circular restricted three-body problem, and they play important roles in practical deep-space exploration. Current methods of periodic orbit computation need a high-order analytical approximate solution to start the iteration process, thus making the computation complicated and limiting the types of periodic orbits that can be obtained. By utilizing the symmetry of the restricted three-body problem, a special kind of flow function is constructed, so as to map a state on the plane of symmetry to another state that also lies in this plane. Based on this flow function, a new method of periodic orbit computation is derived. This method needs neither a starting analytic approximation nor the state transition matrix to be computed, so it can be conveniently implemented on a computer. Besides, this method is unaffected by the nonlinearity of the dynamical system, allowing a large set of periodic orbits which have x-z plane symmetry to be computed numerically. As examples, some planar periodic orbits (e.g. Lyapunov orbit) and spatial periodic orbits (e.g. Halo orbit) are computed. By further combining with a differential correction process, the method introduced here can be used to design resonant orbits that can jump between different resonant frequencies. One such resonant orbit is given in this paper, verifying the efficiency of this method.

The co-orbital restricted three-body problem and its application

Based on large quantities of co-orbital phenomena in the motion of natural bodies and spacecraft, a model of the co-orbital restricted three-body problem is put forward. The fundamental results for the planar co-orbital circular restricted three-body problem are given, which include the selection of variables and equations of motion, a set of approximation formulas, and an approximate semi-analytical solution. They are applied to the motion of the barycenter of the planned gravitational observatory LISA constellation, which agrees very well with the solution of precise numerical integration.

A Series Solution Approach to the Circular Restricted Gravitational Three-Body Dynamical Problem

The present manuscript examines the circular restricted gravitational three-body problem (CRGTBP) by the introduction of a new approach through the power series method. In addition, certain computational algorithms with the aid of Mathematica software are specifically designed for the problem. The algorithms or rather mathematical modules are established to determine the velocity and position of the third body’s motion. In fact, the modules led to accurate results and thus proved the new approach to be efficient.

A new class of symmetric periodic solutions of the spatial elliptic restricted three-body problem

We show that there exists a new class of symmetric periodic solutions of the spatial elliptic restricted three-body problem. In such a solution, the infinitesimal body is confined to the vicinity of a primary and moves on a nearly circular orbit. This orbit is almost perpendicular to the orbital plane of the primaries, where the line of symmetry of the orbit lies. The existence is shown by applying a corollary of Arenstorf's fixed point theorem to a periodicity equation system of the problem. And this existence doesn't require any restriction on the mass ratio of the primaries, nor on the eccentricity of their relative elliptic orbit. Potential relevance of this new class of periodic solutions to real celestial body systems and the follow-up studies in this respect are also discussed.

Attitude dynamics in the circular restricted three-body problem

This document reflects the effort of constructing a basis for understanding attitude motion within a multi-body problem with application to spacecraft flight dynamics.The circular restricted three-body problem(CR3BP)is employed as a model for the orbital motion.Then,attitude dynamics is discussed within the CR3BP.Conditions for bounded attitude librations and techniques for the identification of such behavior are presented:initially for a spacecraft fixed at an orbital equilibrium point,and later for a vehicle that moves on non-linear periodic orbit.While previous works focus on specific challenges,this analysis serves to create a more general framework for attitude dynamics within the CR3BP.A larger framework enables additional observations.For example,a linkage is noted between regions of bounded motion that may appear on an attitude grid search map and families of periodic attitude solutions.Finally,coupling effects between attitude and orbit dynamics within the CR3BP,ones that enable new options for trajectory design,are considered an important opportunity,and should be included in a general framework.As a proof of that concept,sailcraft trajectories are generated within a coupled orbit-attitude model only using a sequence of constant commands for the attitude actuators.

Periodic Orbits in the Photogravitational Restricted Problem When the Primaries Are Triaxial Rigid Bodies

We have studied periodic orbits generated by Lagrangian solutions of the restricted three-body problem when both the primaries are triaxial rigid bodies and source of radiation pressure. We have determined periodic orbits for different values of (h is energy constant;μ is mass ratio of the two primaries;are parameters of triaxial rigid bodies and are radiation parameters). These orbits have been determined by giving displacements along the tangent and normal at the mobile co-ordinates as defined in our papers (Mittal et al. [1]-[3]). These orbits have been drawn by using the predictor-corrector method. We have also studied the effect of triaxial bodies and source of radiation pressure on the periodic orbits by taking fixed value of μ.

STUDIES OF MELNIKOV METHOD AND TRANSVERSAL HOMOCLINIC ORBITS IN THE CIRCULAR PLANAR RESTRICTED THREE－BODY PROBLEM

Non-Hamiltonian systems containing degenerate fixed points obtained from twodegrees of freedom near-integrable Hamiltonian systems through non-canonicaltransformations are dealt with in this paper. Two criteria .for determining theexistence of transversal homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits are presented. By exploitingthese criteria the existence of the transversal homoclinic orbits and so, of thetransversal homoclinic tangle .phenomenon in the near-integrable circular planarrestricted three-body problem with sufficiently small mass ratio of the two primaries isproven. Under some assumptions, the existence of the transversal heleroclinic orbits isproven. The global qualitative phase diagram is also illustrated.