Cycler Explained

A cycler is a potential spacecraft on a closed transfer orbit that would pass close to two celestial bodies at regular intervals. Cyclers could be used for carrying heavy supplies, life support and radiation shielding.

Free return trajectory

A free-return trajectory is a symmetrical orbit past the Moon and Earth that was first analysed by Arthur Schwaniger[1]

Lunar cycler

See main article: Lunar cycler. A lunar cycler or Earth–Moon cycler is a cycler orbit, or spacecraft therein, which periodically passes close by the Earth and the Moon, using gravity assists and occasional propellant-powered corrections to maintain its trajectories between the two. If the fuel required to reach a particular cycler orbit from both the Earth and the Moon is modest, and the travel time between the two along the cycler is reasonable, then having a spacecraft in the cycler can provide an efficient and regular method for space transportation.[2]

Mars cycler

See main article: Mars cycler. A Mars cycler or Earth–Mars cycler is a spacecraft trajectory that encounters the Earth and Mars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory

Interstellar cycler

An interstellar cycler or Schroeder cycler, a theoretical spacecraft trajectory that encounters two or more stars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory

Notes and References

  1. Book: Schwaninger, Arthur J.. Trajectories in the Earth-Moon Space with Symmetrical Free Return Properties. NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center. Huntsville, Alabama. 1963. Technical Note D-1833.
  2. Kenneth D. Mease . Benjamin F. Villac . Josep M. Mondelo . Jordi Casoliva Rodon . June 2008 . Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond . University of California . 2 . 2014-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140908000130/http://balsells.eng.uci.edu/docs/Mease-Progress-Report-June08.pdf.