Dynamics in the Vicinity of the Stable Halo Orbits.

Abstract

This work presents a study of the dynamics in the vicinity of the stable L₂ halo orbits in the Earth-Moon system of the circular restricted three-body problem. These solutions include partially elliptic, partially hyperbolic, and elliptic quasi-halo orbits. The first two types of orbits are 2-dimensional quasi-periodic tori, whereas the elliptic orbits are 3-dimensional quasi-periodic tori. Motivated by the Lunar Gateway, this work computes these orbits to explore the 3-parameter family of solutions lying in the vicinity of the stable halo orbits. An algorithm is presented to quantify the size of the invariant surfaces which gives perspective on the size of the orbits. A stability bifurcation is detected where the partially elliptic tori become partially hyperbolic. A nonlinear behavior of the Jacobi constant is observed which differs from the behavior of the quasi-halo orbits emanating from the unstable halo orbits which makeup the majority of the quasi-halo family. Uses of the orbits in the vicinity of the stable L₂ halo orbits are identified, and the results highlight characteristics and structure of the family to broaden the understanding of the dynamical structure of the circular restricted three-body problem.