Lissajous orbit

A three-dimensional, generally quasi-periodic trajectory around a Lagrange point, formed by combining oscillations in the rotating frame of a two-body system.

Circular restricted three-body problem: A model of two massive bodies on circular orbits and a third body whose mass is negligible. Its rotating-frame equations produce the equilibrium points and oscillatory motion underlying Lissajous orbits.
James Webb Space Telescope: A space observatory launched in 2021 that conducts infrared astronomy from near the Sun–Earth L2 region. Its operational path is a large-amplitude Lissajous orbit around Sun–Earth L2.
Rotating reference frame: A coordinate system that rotates relative to an inertial frame. Lissajous motion is defined relative to the frame rotating with the two primary bodies.
Stationkeeping: Small, planned maneuvers that keep a spacecraft near a desired trajectory or position. Perturbations gradually displace Lissajous-orbit spacecraft, so missions use stationkeeping maneuvers.
Lagrange point: A position in a two-body rotating frame where gravitational and centrifugal effects balance for a small object. Lissajous trajectories oscillate around these equilibrium positions rather than remaining fixed there.
WMAP: NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, which mapped the cosmic microwave background from space. The spacecraft operated in a Lissajous orbit around Sun–Earth L2.
Quasi-periodic motion: Motion composed of multiple frequencies whose ratios are generally irrational, so the motion does not exactly repeat. Independent oscillation frequencies make a typical Lissajous trajectory non-repeating.
Dynamical systems theory: The study of how systems evolve over time under specified rules. Invariant manifolds and stability analysis explain how Lissajous trajectories connect to other motions.
Halo orbit: A three-dimensional periodic orbit around a collinear Lagrange point in the circular restricted three-body problem. Unlike a Lissajous orbit, a halo orbit repeats after a finite period.
Gaia: The European Space Agency's space observatory that measured the positions, distances, and motions of stars. Gaia used a Lissajous orbit around Sun–Earth L2 during its science mission.

Linked from 1 page