Orbital Aerobraking Return

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

An orbital maneuver technique in which a vehicle returning from the DRO service station to LEO uses Earth's atmospheric drag to decelerate. Aerobraking is triggered when the vehicle enters below 200 km altitude. The paper models this as two instantaneous velocity pulses at a perigee height of approximately 80.7 km, reducing propellant consumption for the return leg. Compared to direct propulsive braking, it significantly saves fuel.

Application Value

The Orbital Aerobraking Return plays a significant role in cislunar space mission design, analysis, and control. In orbital design, it can be leveraged for transfer trajectory optimization; in navigation and control, it improves mission execution precision and reliability; in system analysis, it facilitates deeper understanding of complex multi-body dynamical behavior, guiding mission planning and risk assessment.

  • J2-Invariant Orbit
  • Interior Point Optimization
  • N-Body Dynamics
  • Start-End State Constraint

References

  • 宝音贺西 等 - 2025 - 地月空间DRO航班化往返转移多脉冲轨迹优化
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong