The analysis of the Earth co-orbital motion of Chang’e-2 after asteroid flyby

After the Chang’e-2 spacecraft conducted a successful asteroid flyby,where is it flying to in interplanetary space?This question is answered via an introduction to the Chang’e-2’s flight trajectory after asteroid flyby that is termed Earth co-orbital motion.Based on preliminary analysis using the dynamical systems theory,Poincare′sections concept,and routine optimization techniques,it is now predicted that,from the point of view of orbital mechanics,Chang’e-2 is capable of returning to the vicinity of the Earth in no more than 20 a and might be recaptured by the Earth if appropriate orbital maneuvers are going to be exerted,either by itself or by another spacecraft that captures Chang’e-2.