Long-Path Transfer Orbit

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

One of two solution categories in the Lambert problem. The arc angle from departure to arrival exceeds 180 degrees, placing the two foci on opposite sides of the chord. For the same semimajor axis, the long-path orbit requires more flight time and typically more velocity increment than the short-path orbit. In multirevolution transfers, long-path and short-path solutions form the upper and lower branches of the t_f-a diagram respectively (for θ≤180 deg).

Application Value

在设计地月转移方案时，利用该轨道特性可降低任务总速度增量需求。Lambert问题是轨道转移设计的基础，可求解两点边值问题。

References

  • Shen和Tsiotras - 2003 - Optimal two-impulse rendezvous using multiple-revolution lambert solutions
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong