Transfer from Earth to libration point orbit using lunar gravity assist

•Lunar flyby transfer from Earth to Sun-Earth/Moon libration orbit is studied.•We propose an optimization method to design the lunar flyby transfers.•8 kinds of lunar flyby transfers are obtained and discussed.•Compared with traditional transfers, lunar flyby transfers have three advantages.

In this paper, transfers from the low Earth orbit (LEO) to libration point orbits using lunar gravity assist (LGA) are proposed and investigated in the Sun-Earth-Moon restricted four-body problem (RFBP). Using the patched LGA orbits as the initial guesses, we present a design method of LGA transfers to libration orbits in the RFBP. The design method is applicable to both prograde and retrograde lunar flyby. Based on the design method, 8 kinds of LGA transfers are obtained. Then, the performances of those LGA transfers, including fuel cost and duration time, are compared and discussed. The analysis results can guide us choose appropriate types of LGA transfers in libration point mission. Finally, LGA transfers are compared with direct transfers based on the Sun-Earth stable manifolds to display the effect of lunar flyby on the transfer.