Cycler

Short description: Proposed spacecraft in a closed transfer orbit between two celestial bodies

Sketch of a circumlunar free return trajectory (not to scale), plotted on the rotating reference frame rotating slightly faster than a sidereal month.

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

A free-return trajectory is a symmetrical orbit past the Moon and Earth that was first analysed by Arthur Schwaniger^[1]

Lunar cycler

Main page: Astronomy:Lunar cycler

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

Main page: Astronomy:Mars cycler

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

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

↑ 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. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112106596973;view=1up;seq=28.
↑ Kenneth D. Mease; Benjamin F. Villac; Josep M. Mondelo (June 2008). Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond (Report). University of California. p. 2. http://balsells.eng.uci.edu/docs/Mease-Progress-Report-June08.pdf.

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[traj-1] 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. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112106596973;view=1up;seq=28.

[2] Kenneth D. Mease; Benjamin F. Villac; Josep M. Mondelo (June 2008). Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond (Report). University of California. p. 2. http://balsells.eng.uci.edu/docs/Mease-Progress-Report-June08.pdf.

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