Departure/swingby window expansion for gravity capture around the Moon via the combination of the solar tidal force with the low thrust propulsion

Abstract

Recent Space Exploration demands sometimes assume an apparent gravity capture around the Moon, using the solar tidal force effect accumulated while flying in the far boundary region of the Earth gravity field. However, when/where the capture occurs strongly depends on where the spacecraft departs from and approaches to the Moon. Therefore, such spontaneous capture is hardly applicable to the flexible and practical transportation systems to the Moon. The paper presents how the launch (departure) or swingby (arrival) conditions are relaxed taking the advantage of the artificial acceleration, electric propulsion means.