MISSION ANALYSIS AND TRANSFER DESIGN FOR THE EUROPEAN STUDENT MOON ORBITER

摘要

This paper presents an overview of the mission analysis performed for the EuropeanStudent Moon Orbiter (ESMO). Scheduled for launch in 2014 – 2015as a piggyback payload, it is currently the only ESA planned mission to theMoon. The launch period was systemically scanned by an automatic transfergeneration algorithm, which process is described herein, to compile a large databaseof nominal transfer options. The database contains 2 types of transfer;transfers with free starting conditions and transfers fixed to a certain launchhour and date using an Ariane 5 launch vehicle. ESMO is inserted into ahighly eccentric frozen orbit at the Moon, to minimize the propellant used toinsert into, and maintain, its lunar orbit. Between launch and actual departurefrom the Earth, ESMO will perform a series of apogee raising maneuvers thatinject the spacecraft into a trans-lunar transfer within the limits of the currentpropulsion system.