DESIGN OF LUNAR GRAVITY ASSIST FOR THE BEPICOLOMBO MISSION TO MERCURY

The BepiColombo mission to Mercury makes use of a lunar gravity-assist to i ncrease the payload mass into the final orbit. The swing-by of the Moon is designed such that the highest velocity in the suitable direction is obtained. Furthermore a phasing loop strategy is investigated, which opens a 5-month launch window. Taking into account the luni-solar perturbations, the launch window has to be closed frequently, but launch opportunities remain from May to September 2012.