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Navigation of the Twin GRAIL Spacecraft into Science Formation at the MoonOn February 29, 2012 the twin NASA Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft, Ebb and flow, achieved precise synchronized formation for collecting highly sensitive lunar gravity data. This was accomplished after performing a total of 27 propulsive maneuvers between the two spacecraft (13 on Ebb, 14 on Flow) over six months. Each 300 kg GRAIL spacecraft independently flew a 3.8-month, low-energy trajectory to reach the Moon after separation from the launch vehicle on September 10, 2011. The space craft were captured into 11.5 hr co- planar polar orbits after performing Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuvers on New Years Eve (Dec 31, 2011) and New Years Day (Jan 1, 2012), respectively for Ebb, and Flow. Once captured, each spacecraft performed clusters of period reduction maneuvers to bring their orbit periods down to just less than 2 hrs. Finally, the orbiters we replaced into science formation by performing five strategic maneuvers (2 on Ebb, 3 on Flow). These maneuvers ensured 3 months of orbit life time with mean altitudes of 55 km and separations of 82-217 km by targeting the orbits' eccentricity vectors to specific locations. This paper will discuss the navigation strategy and performance of the twin GRAIL spacecraft from the September 10, 2011 launch through the end of the Prime Mission Science Phase in June 2012.
Document ID
20150004571
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Antreasian, P. G.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Bhat, R. S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Criddle, K. E.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Goodson, T. D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Hatch, S. J
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Jefferson, D. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lau, E. L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mohan, S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Parker, J. S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Roncoli, R. B.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ryne, M. S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Sweetser, T. H.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
You, T. H.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Young, B. T.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Broschat, S. B.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Chung, M. K.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
April 8, 2015
Publication Date
October 29, 2012
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: October 29, 2012
End Date: November 2, 2012
Sponsors: Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
lunar gravity
navigation
Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL)
formation flying
low energy trajectory
low altitude

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