Dynamics, stability and control of displaced non-Keplerian orbits

Non-Keplerian trajectories around the Lagrange points of the three-body problem have been thoroughly investigated enabling many novel space science missions. Identification of heteroclinic manifolds linking halo orbits around the L1 and L2 Lagrange points has lead to the discovery of the so-called interplanetary superhighway. This thesis considers possible periodic and quasi-periodic non-Keplerian orbits around artificial libration points generated using solar sail propulsion. Dynamical models are developed to represent the motion of a solar sail in a two- and three- body context. Artificial libration points are identified using the solar sail to provide a constant axial force. The stability of these libration points is investigated using a linear approximation of the equations of motion and a non-linear analysis. Established techniques are applied to identify halo orbits and Lissajous trajectories around these libration points. Manifolds are identified to provide transfer trajectories to these orbits from near the Earth. Solar sail control techniques are developed to prevent escape from the nominal orbit after insertion