Application of Dynamical Systems Theory to Trajectory Design for a Libration Point Mission

Recently, there has been accelerated interest in missions utilizing trajectories near libration points. The trajectory design issues involved in missions of such complexity go beyond the lack of preliminary baseline trajectories (since conic analysis fails in this region of the solution space). Successful and efficient design of mission options will require new persepectives; a more complete understanding of the solution space is imperative. In this investigation, dynamical systems theory is applied to better understand the geometry of the phase space in the three-body problem via stable and unstable manifolds. Then, the manifolds are used to generate various solution arcs and establish trajectory options that are then utilized in preliminary design for the proposed Suess-Urey mission.