Jeremiah Specht, Air Force Institute of Technology; Robert Bettinger, Air Force Institute of Technology; Rachel Oliver, Air Force Institute of Technology; Bruce Cox, Air Force Institute of Technology
https://doi.org/10.64861/TOZN5155
Keywords: Conditional behavior mapping (CBM), CR3BP, ephemeris, quasi-chaotic trajectory, Poincaré map
Abstract:
Within the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP), Poincaré maps categorize trajectories as periodic, quasi-periodic, or quasi-chaotic. Previous work using the conditional behavior mapping (CBM) methodology identified and characterized dynamical transport structures within the quasi-chaotic region that enable Earth-Moon transfers. This research investigates whether the dynamical structures previously identified in the CR3BP persist within a high-fidelity ephemeris model, supporting future Earth-Moon mission design. This study represents the first application of conditional behavior mapping in a high-fidelity ephemeris model. Simulations are initialized with a Jacobi constant of 3.175, providing access to lunar transfers through L1 while initially restricting escape through L2. Because the ephemeris model is non-conservative, the equivalent Jacobi value evolves over time, permitting later escape through L2. Four starting epochs representing different Sun-Earth-Moon geometries are analyzed to evaluate the persistence of these transport structures under varying initial conditions. The resulting dynamical structures and their substructures are analyzed across the four scenarios to identify patterns associated with lunar impact, circumlunar return trajectories, and L2 escape from the Earth-Moon system. Results demonstrate that coherent transport structures persist across multiple starting epochs in the high-fidelity ephemeris model. Furthermore, their substructures retain the striated organization of trajectory outcomes observed in the CR3BP. This work extends conditional behavior mapping beyond the CR3BP by demonstrating its applicability to high-fidelity ephemeris models, providing new insight into chaotic transport for realistic Earth-Moon mission design.
Date of Conference: September 15-18, 2026
Track: Cislunar SDA