Application of GPS to Enable Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Heliocentric Disposal

Abstract: To properly dispose of the upper stage of the Space Launch System, the vehicle must perform a burn in Earth orbit to perform a close flyby of the Lunar surface to gain adequate energy to enter into heliocentric space. This architecture was selected to meet NASA requirements to limit orbital debris in the Earth-Moon system. The choice of a flyby for heliocentric disposal was driven by mission and vehicle constraints. This paper describes the SLS mission for Exploration Mission -1, a high level…