Artificial Lagrange Orbits

When a planet orbits a star, or a moon orbits a planet, there are Lagrange points where gravity and centrifugal acceleration from the smaller body's orbital motion balance. Spacecraft and natural objects, like asteroids, may orbit these points. The thrust of a solar sail can change the location of the balance point, and where a spacecraft can orbit. These new artificial Lagrange orbits (ALOs) enable a unique perspective for a variety of applications.

Planetary Artificial Lagrange Orbits


Solar sails enable periodic orbits displaced from the natural Sun-planet Lagrange points. McInnes1999

Lunar Artificial Lagrange Orbits
Solar sails enable periodic orbits displaced from the natural Lunar lagrange points. McInnes1999:Simoetal2008:Simoetal2009:Simoetal2009b