Automated Optimization of Weak Stability Boundary Lunar Transfers for the LunaH-Map Mission

Abstract The LunaH-Map (LMAP) mission was manifested and launched as a secondary payload on the Artemis 1 mission in November 2022. With a scientific objective of mapping hydrogen concentration at the Lunar South Pole, the mission required a low polar orbit. As a secondary payload, the LMAP mission design had to overcome many unique constraints in order to generate Lunar transfers to reach this desired orbit. This paper will discuss the methods used to overcome all of these challenges and incorporate two sets of three-body weak-stability dynamics into one low-thrust trajectory optimization problem. For operational efficiency, solutions were generated directly in an ephemeris model without needing simplified two- or three-body dynamics. A walkthrough will be provided of the mission design pipeline created to meet tight operational timelines. Instructive trends and results will be presented for the thousands of trajectories generated across the over 400 potential launch opportunities.