# A Study of Cislunar-Based Small Satellite Constellations with Sustainable Autonomy
## 6 Discussions  
NewSpace competence has taken a leap to move over the traditional approaches and define the path for creative and systematic changeover of space systems with unique methodologies. There are several ways in which space dynamics have changed and yet have to be evolved over time. The scope towards a sustainable Cislunar space and its optimal management is enormous and will redefine space like it has never been before. The economic factor of the Cislunar space will thrive, not only for the humans on Earth but also for deep space exploration in the true sense for a sustained period of time. The direction provided by this paper is also towards sustainability of the operations in this major region of Cislunar space that binds Earth and Moon together as one system. Through literature, it has been observed that there is a need to find balance in the operations in the coming times. The intensity of mission growth and also debris alignment has been exponential and requires immediate attention to build a safe and reliable Cislunar space for a future that can be retained, maintained, and restored. This can only be done with precise but optimal use of technology with enhanced methodologies. These times of Artemis missions are when humans will strive at the Moon with the purpose of moving into deeper space while using the Moon as an important station. The small satellite constellations are one supporting agent/tool for such ambitious missions. These satellites, though resource-constrained, will have greater capabilities to stand the space environment and deliver the best possible performance with their given objectives. These small satellites (<100 kg) have unmatchable capabilities and a capacity to attain objectives which were never thought of. This is both for the applications dedicated to the Earth and the Moon. These as constellations are the solutions to several longing issues in space and have proven their performance in near-Earth orbits and recently near the Moon as well. Figure 3 demonstrates a proposed methodology that is the core portion of this research. The LEO region is the brain and centroid of the Cislunar space. It serves as a medium for orbiting the missions specific to the Earth applications and also as a parking station for the missions planned to be deployed to the Moon and beyond. Hence, this region acts as a major junction for all the Cislunar operations and beyond. Figure 3 comes forward with a strategy to use the LEO region efficiently by maintaining the small satellite constellations for Earth as well as holding the planned payloads and missions to be moved to the lunar orbits. Hence, the blocks represent the systematic schematic to deploy the small satellite constellations in the Cislunar space efficiently, utilizing the resources and saving costs as much as possible. This is also to sustain the missions for the long term for seamless development of the Cislunar economy and to support several major objectives for humanity to reach the Moon and beyond and explore the unknown. The development of a sustainable autonomy in the Cislunar space is a major need for the moment. Hence, the proposed methodology has proven the seamless, robust, and reliable form of the system for small satellite constellations to maintain continuity in operations. The relevant dynamics associated with the Cislunar space will need to deliver sustained operations with due consideration to the space environment significantly different for the Moon and the Earth. This factor was taken care of while designing the proposed methodology and making a continuous streamline of operations in the Cislunar domain. The dynamics of the Cislunar space, presented in Section 4, cover major elements of designing, maintaining, and retaining the constellations in the harsh Cislunar environment. The role of a satellite in the three-body system was deeply studied and emphasized the factors affecting their orientation as well.