A new constellation configuration scheme for communicating architecture in cislunar space

A new constellation configuration is proposed to provide near-constant communications between any two points in the cislunar space. Four satellites were allocated on some natural orbits near LL₂, LL₄, LL₅, and LL₃ points, the first three of which are expected to supply a global coverage on the Moon, and the last three afford a global coverage on the Earth. Considering the real dynamics and geometries, a full-ephemeris model is employed to refine the quasi-periodic trajectories near LL₂, LL₃, LL₄, and LL₅ points by a multiple shooting corrector numerically. The revisiting intervals between the successive revisits on specified points by the constellation are demonstrated both on the geographical maps of the Earth and the Moon, with a consideration of equatorial inclinations with respect to the Earth-Moon orbital plane. Moreover, the coverage periodicity on the Moon is induced by Metonic cycle of 19 years. Cost analysis on stationkeeping and launching is implemented for this constellation in detail. Finally, some aspects about communications, such as satellite links, delays, ground stations, and communication devices, are surveyed preliminarily.