V-INFINITY LEVERAGING FOR INTERPLANETARY MISSIONS - MULTIPLE-REVOLUTION ORBIT TECHNIQUES

The concept of a delta-velocity Earth gravity-assist trajectory is gen eralized to include multiple revolutions of both the spacecraft and th e Earth about the sun. The concept is also generalized to Include traj ectories to destinations inside the orbit of the Earth. Both of these generalizations fall under the comprehensive concept of V-infinity lev eraging. Analytic results predict the existence of low-launch-energy t rajectories to asteroids and Mercury. Numerical results confirm these predictions. These low-launch-energy trajectories represent excellent opportunities for low-cost missions using small launch vehicles.