Summary
A cycler is a potential spacecraft on a closed transfer orbit that would pass close to two celestial bodies at regular intervals. Cyclers could be used for carrying heavy supplies, life support and radiation shielding.
Free return trajectory edit
A free-return trajectory is a symmetrical orbit past the Moon and Earth that was first analysed by Arthur Schwaniger[1]
Lunar cycler edit
A lunar cycler or Earth–Moon cycler is a cycler orbit, or spacecraft therein, which periodically passes close by the Earth and the Moon, using gravity assists and occasional propellant-powered corrections to maintain its trajectories between the two. If the fuel required to reach a particular cycler orbit from both the Earth and the Moon is modest, and the travel time between the two along the cycler is reasonable, then having a spacecraft in the cycler can provide an efficient and regular method for space transportation.[2]
Mars cycler edit
A Mars cycler or Earth–Mars cycler is a spacecraft trajectory that encounters the Earth and Mars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory
Interstellar cycler edit
An interstellar cycler or Schroeder cycler, a theoretical spacecraft trajectory that encounters two or more stars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory
References edit
- ^ Schwaninger, Arthur J. (1963). Trajectories in the Earth-Moon Space with Symmetrical Free Return Properties. Technical Note D-1833. Huntsville, Alabama: NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center.
- ^ Kenneth D. Mease; Benjamin F. Villac; Josep M. Mondelo; et al. (Jordi Casoliva Rodon) (June 2008). Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond (PDF) (Report). University of California. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-08.