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A family of linear stable equilibria in the Sun-Earth-Sail problem

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Abstract

The collinear libration point of the Sun-Earth Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP), \(L_{3}\) is located opposite to the Earth with respect to the Sun. Whereas several space missions have been launched to the other two collinear equilibrium points, i.e., \(L_{1}\) and \(L_{2}\), the region around \(L_{3}\) is so far unexploited essentially because of the severe communication limitations caused by Sun’s blocking location.

By using an adequate size, location and attitude of a solar sail, the equilibrium point can be displaced from its original location to allow direct communication between the satellite and Earth. This paper presents several families of artificial equilibria located on the semi-space which is permanently opposite to Earth in relation to the Sun, but which allows direct communication with Earth. We present a family of such equilibria which are linearly stable and therefore very useful for space missions.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the support of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Developement-(CNPq): Pos-doctoral grants (Process number 101477/2019-8) and also the logistical support of São Paulo State University (UNESP-Rio Claro) for the development of the above mentioned pos-doctoral ternure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Marcelo Marchesin

  2. Department of Applied Mathematics, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil

    Tadashi Yokoyama

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  1. Marcelo Marchesin
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  2. Tadashi Yokoyama
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Correspondence to Marcelo Marchesin.

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Marchesin, M., Yokoyama, T. A family of linear stable equilibria in the Sun-Earth-Sail problem. Astrophys Space Sci 365, 85 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-020-03802-9

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