POINT-TO-POINT JUMPING DYNAMICS ON PHOBOS BY PROGRADE ORBIT FAMILIES

This paper is devoted to a point-to-point jumping mechanism on Phobos surface by prograde orbit family. In the vicinity of Phobos, the distance retrograde orbit (DRO) family is used as long-term parking orbit for Phobos probe due to their large scale and strong stability. and prograde orbit families are critical to Phobos observation mission. The prograde orbits contain arcs outsides the surface of Phobos which is proved to have as low take-off and landing velocities as 2-4 m/s. Parameter analysis based on the invariant tori around stable prograde orbits shows that a time of flight up to 2 hours and maximum altitude of less than 4 km can be satisfied by properly selecting candidate arc. A jumping coverage angle as wide as 60 degree in longitude can be achieved. Thus, a point-to-point jumping mechanism is enabled by JAXA’s MINERVA series that is small enough to be equipped on lander or rover and can provide an extra movement without thrust. In order to furtherly extend the jumping area, a patching package is developed to manage the trajectories based on the jumping arc archive of all prograde orbits. The feasibility of jumping arcs is analyzed and verified in Mars-ellipsoid model and applications to trajectory management is presented in high-fidelity model.