Using Invariant Manifolds of the Sun-Earth L2 Point for Asteroid Mining Operations

The three-body problem is a powerful tool for understanding non-Keplerian orbits. This project focuses on the Circularly Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP), which can be applied to the Sun-Earth and Earth-Moon systems. In particular, we are interested in the Lagrange points of both systems and the Halo orbits that exist about them. These orbits are important for scientific missions, space stations and industrial operations. Transit to these orbits is non-trivial; thus, the method of invariant manifolds will be developed to analyze travel to and from the Lagrange points. This will be extended to analyze asteroid mining at the Sun-Earth L2, and the transition of material from this point to the Earth-Moon system.