Trajectories for the Sakigake extended-mission phase

The trajectory profile that will be used by Japan's Sakigake spacecraft to accomplish its extended-mission objectives is described. Currently, Sakigake is following a heliocentric trajectory that will return to the earth's vicinity in January 1992. Four earth gravity-assist maneuvers are planned to redirect Sakigake to an encounter with Comet Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova (HMP) in February 1996. While carrying out the earth-swingby maneuvers, the spacecraft will make several passes through previously unexplored regions of the distant geomagnetic tail.