Heliocentric Graveyard Orbit
Author: Tianjiang Shuo
Website: https://cislunarspace.cn
Definition
An end-of-life disposal method for libration point missions: maneuvering the spacecraft into a heliocentric orbit far from Earth, ensuring it will not return to Earth's vicinity for hundreds of years, thereby eliminating threats to Earth-orbiting satellites and ground populations. ESA's Herschel spacecraft completed disposal this way in May 2013, with designed results showing no return for at least 300 years.
Related Concepts
References
- Olikara Z P, Gómez G, Masdemont J J. Dynamic mechanisms for spacecraft disposal from Sun-Earth libration points[J]. JGCD, 2015, 38(10): 1976-1989