Doubly-periodic orbits in the Sun-Earth-Moon system

A series of periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon circular restricted problem of three bodies was found which is ideally suited for exploring the Earth's geomagnetic tail. The mean apsidal motion of the basic highly elliptical Earth orbit was maintained at about one degree per day by a sequence of lunar swingbys, keeping the apogees in the anti-Sun direction. The orbits were periodic in reference frames rotating at both lunar and solar rates. Apogee distances were alternately raised and lowered by the lunar swingby maneuvers. Several categories of these Sun-synchronous double lunar swingby orbits were identified. The strength and flexibility of this trajectory concept was demonstrated with real world simulations.