Cycler

A cycler is a spacecraft on a closed transfer orbit that passes close to two celestial bodies at regular intervals. Cyclers are intended to be used for carrying heavy supplies, life support and radiation shielding.

Sketch of a circumlunar free return trajectory (not to scale), plotted on the rotating reference frame rotating slightly faster than a sidereal month.

Free return trajectory

A free-return trajectory is a symmetrical orbit past the moon and Earth that was first analysed by Arthur Schwaniger[1]

Lunar cycler

A lunar cycler or Earth–Moon cycler is a cycler orbit, or spacecraft therein, which periodically passes close by the Earth and the Moon, using gravity assists and occasional propellant-powered corrections to maintain its trajectories between the two. If the fuel required to reach a particular cycler orbit from both the Earth and the Moon is modest, and the travel time between the two along the cycler is reasonable, then having a spacecraft in the cycler can provide an efficient and regular method for space transportation.[2]

Mars cycler

A Mars cycler or Earth–Mars cycler is a spacecraft trajectory that encounters the Earth and Mars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory

Interstellar cycler

An interstellar cycler or Schroeder cycler, a theoretical spacecraft trajectory that encounters two or more stars on a regular basis, or a spacecraft on such a trajectory

References

Schwaninger, Arthur J. (1963). Trajectories in the Earth-Moon Space with Symmetrical Free Return Properties. Technical Note D-1833. Huntsville, Alabama: NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center.
Kenneth D. Mease, Benjamin F. Villac, Josep M. Mondelo et al. (Jordi Casoliva Rodon) (June 2008). Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond (PDF) (Report). University of California. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-08.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)

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[traj-1] Schwaninger, Arthur J. (1963). Trajectories in the Earth-Moon Space with Symmetrical Free Return Properties. Technical Note D-1833. Huntsville, Alabama: NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center.

[2] Kenneth D. Mease, Benjamin F. Villac, Josep M. Mondelo et al. (Jordi Casoliva Rodon) (June 2008). Economical Space Transportation Routes Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond (PDF) (Report). University of California. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-08.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)