On the dynamics of weak stability boundary lunar transfers (Q5943553)

Recent studies demonstrate that solar and lunar gravitational assistance can offer a good indication of total variation of velocity needed in lunar transfer trajectories. In particular, the spacecraft crossing regions of unstable equilibrium in the Earth-Moon-Sun system, can be guided by the Sun towards the lunar orbit with the energy needed to be captured ballistically by the Moon. Here, the authors analyze the solar gravitational effect and lunar gravitational capture in terms of variations of Jacobi constants in the Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon systems. Many examples are presented to understand the dynamical mechanism of weak stability boundary transfers, and analytical formulas are obtained in the case of quasi-ballistic capture.