Astrodynamics and Analysis of Lunar Space-Based Solar Power Missions

The objective of the following thesis is to develop an orbital optimization model to identify stable and optimal lunar orbits for a mission scenario related to wireless power transmission, called Space-Based Solar Power, from a satellite orbiting toward the lunar south pole. For the development of such an optimization algorithm, an orbital model including the dynamics of the three-body problem was used, considering the influence that the non-uniform mass distribution of the Moon has. Such knowledge has high importance for lunar exploration and utilization. Planned missions such as the manned American Artemis and Lunar Gateway, as well as flown missions including Chinese, Indian and Japanese probes give an idea of how fervent the interest on the Moon is. One of the applications that will be critical to the development of this ecosystem is related to the wireless power transmission, from a lunar-orbiting satellite to the surface, to power the infrastructure that will be built on lunar soil. In this work, a review of the state of the art and investigated solutions for mission scenarios involving wireless power transmission, for both terrestrial and lunar applications, was conducted, emphasizing for each application area the purposes and potential. Various mission scenarios with different requirements, characteristics and orbit families for each scenario were identified and classified. An evaluation of the mission scenarios was performed based on figures of merit that consider several key aspects for optimal mission success, performance maximization, and cost minimization. The purpose of this analysis was to associate a cost function for each mission scenario and identify the best one for the wireless power transmission application. An additional aspect considered within the cost function is that related to the transfer from Earth to lunar orbit. The fuel consumption required for entry into a lunar transitory orbit, which is used as a stationing orbit before the positioning of the satellite in the various families of orbits characteristic of each mission scenario, was analyzed. Through this initial analysis, it was possible to identify which was the best scenario for which to further develop the orbital model and so the individuation and optimization of specific periodic and stable lunar orbits which satisfy the orbital requirements for Space-Based Solar Power applications maximizing the transmission efficiency.