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Coverage Analysis of Lunar Communication/Navigation Constellations Based on Halo Orbits and Distant Retrograde Orbits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2020

Zhao-Yang Gao Open the ORCID record for Zhao-Yang Gao [Opens in a new window]  and
Xi-Yun Hou
Zhao-Yang Gao
Affiliation:
(School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China) (Institute of Space Environment and Astrodynamics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China)
Xi-Yun Hou*
Affiliation:
(School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China) (Institute of Space Environment and Astrodynamics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China)
*
(E-mail: houxiyun@nju.edu.cn)
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Abstract

With more and more missions around the Moon, a communication/navigation constellation around the Moon is necessary. Halo orbits, due to their unique geometry, are extensively studied by researchers for this purpose. A dedicated survey is carried out in this work to analyse the coverage ability of halo orbits. It is found that a two-satellite constellation is enough for continuous one-fold coverage of the north or the south polar regions but never both. A three-satellite constellation is enough for continuous one-fold coverage of both north and south polar regions. A four-satellite constellation can cover nearly 100% of the whole lunar surface. In addition, the coverage ability of another special orbit – distant retrograde orbit (DRO) – is analysed for the first time in this study. It is found that three satellites on DROs can cover 99·8% of the lunar surface, with coverage gaps at polar caps. A four-satellite constellation moving on spatial DROs can cover nearly the whole lunar surface. By combining halo orbits and DROs, we design a five-satellite constellation composed of three halo orbit satellites and two DRO satellites. This constellation can provide 100% continuous one-fold coverage of the whole lunar surface.

Keywords

Satellite NavigationCislunar NavigationLibration PointSatellite Constellation
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 73 , Issue 4 , July 2020 , pp. 932 - 952
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2020

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