Lunar Orbital Plane
Author: Tianjiang Shuo
Website: https://cislunarspace.cn
Definition
The orbital plane of the Moon around the Earth, inclined approximately 5.145 deg to the Earth's equatorial plane. In trans-lunar trajectory design, the angle between the orbital plane at the stable manifold's perilune point and the lunar orbital plane is a key geometric parameter for assessing lunar gravity assist effectiveness. When the angle is small, lunar gravity assist can effectively change the orbital plane; when large, the assist effect diminishes. The paper notes that stable manifolds of large-amplitude Halo orbits make large angles with the lunar orbital plane, rendering lunar gravity assist schemes ineffective.
Application Value
This concept provides fundamental support in cislunar space research and mission design. In practical applications, the appropriate analysis method should be selected based on specific mission scenarios and constraints.
Related Concepts
- On-Board Software
- Barycentric Coordinate Time, TCB
- Horizontal Coordinate System
References
- 曹鹏飞 等 - 2017 - 地月L2点Halo轨道支持的登月轨道优化设计
- 测绘学报, 2013, 42(2): 184-190