Toward a Standard Nomenclature for Earth-Mars Cycler Trajectories

摘要

Many Earth-Mars cycler trajectories are now known and their numbers continue to grow. Unfortunately, the literature on Earth-Mars cycler trajectories uses many different systems for naming the various cyclers being investigated. A nomenclature is proposed as a remedy to standardize the naming system for near-ballistic Earth-Mars cycler trajectories. Modeling assumptions are given and the proposed nomenclature is explained. All known near-ballistic cyclers fall within the scope of the described nomenclature. Examples are presented of how several well-known cyclers are denoted. The syntax of the nomenclature is formally specified using the extended Backus-Naur form. Criteria for evaluating Earth-Mars cycler trajectories are summarized.