Study of the Perturbations of the Sun on the Halo Orbits around the L2 Lagrange Point in the Earth-Moon system, and Corrections by means of a Solar Sail

Abstract

The world of space market evolves towards low-cost solutions, therefore solar sail propulsion is intended to supersede the chemical and electric propulsion. If in addition we combine the solar sail with the suitable orbit, the overall cost can be reduced.What is more, solar sails are propelled only by solar energy, and the Sun is an inexhaustible source of energy, enabling this type of propulsion to perform unique missions.On the other hand,the use of solar sails in space missions has just started a few years ago, being an innovative system with a lot of benefits.This study provides a detailed explanation of solar sailsand a model that describes and demonstrates its effect.The present study also describes the motion of a spacecraft around the L2 Lagrange point of the Earth-Moon system with its corresponding simulation. The interest of orbiting the Lagrange point has increased in the last years because of their natural properties. Furthermore, models for the dynamics of a solar sail in the Earth-Moon system are not as well studied as the Sun-Earth system. In addition, the majority of the studies done,do not take into account Sun’s gravity, when, in fact, it seems that the Sun’s gravity has a significant impact in the Earth-Moon system.This study starts from the circular restricted Three-body problem Earth, Moon and spacecraft, in particular, the periodical Haloorbits around the L2 Lagrange point, for subsequently analyse the effect of the perturbations of a third body (the Sun) and the solar radiation on the spacecraft movement.With the model described, the study investigates the use of a solar sail system with variable orientation in order that the spacecraft could remain closely to the nominal Halo orbit, and even to close the orbit.