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<p>This paper introduces a class of gravity-assist trajectories that enable low-altitude, ballistic flybys over Saturn’s main rings. An analytical framework is developed to construct conic orbits that intersect the ring plane at specified radii and altitudes, using closed-form relations between orbital elements and desired ring-pass geometry. By linking Titan flyby conditions to the resulting ring-skimming trajectories, families of feasible tours are identified that traverse the D, C, B, and F rings across a broad range of relative velocities and observation durations. To illustrate the method, a 162-day reference tour is designed featuring four Titan gravity assists, thirteen low-inclination ring passes, and additional opportunistic flybys of icy moons such as Enceladus and Rhea. This approach expands the mission design space for in situ ring science by enabling repeated close-range observations.</p>

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A Gravity-Assist Technique for Ballistic Trajectories Skimming Over Planetary Ring Systems

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

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  • Mar Vaquero,
  • Juan Senent

摘要

This paper introduces a class of gravity-assist trajectories that enable low-altitude, ballistic flybys over Saturn’s main rings. An analytical framework is developed to construct conic orbits that intersect the ring plane at specified radii and altitudes, using closed-form relations between orbital elements and desired ring-pass geometry. By linking Titan flyby conditions to the resulting ring-skimming trajectories, families of feasible tours are identified that traverse the D, C, B, and F rings across a broad range of relative velocities and observation durations. To illustrate the method, a 162-day reference tour is designed featuring four Titan gravity assists, thirteen low-inclination ring passes, and additional opportunistic flybys of icy moons such as Enceladus and Rhea. This approach expands the mission design space for in situ ring science by enabling repeated close-range observations.