The Hohmann supply depots

The Hohmann trajectory is, in truth, an orbit. It exists to send freight from position to position, which positions happen to be two planets' orbits, on assumption those planets own no gravity for their own. If we apply no delta-V to pull said freight into its new orbit, the freight... keeps truckin'. It will end up where it started. Empty space, with its former planet moved on. But, not forever . . .

It may happen that both planets end up near-enough where they started, too; thus aligning together with their Hohmann. For Earth-Venus, we're in luck - that's only five synods! which is 2919.6 Earth days. Hop David / Clowder figured we could build five cyclers one way and another five the other way. Or however-many to insert freight into one or the other's L3, L4, and L5 spaces.

I hadn't taken this seriously on account I don't like maintaining a vehicle with nowt to do but pick up rads for, what, 2800 of its 2919.6 day cycle (although Earth does get to look at it again, halfway through, and it gets some Lagrange opportunities). I went looking into Hollister and Aldrin alternatives and didn't much like these either so I just figured: let's stick with shuttling two craft and parking each in orbit during the meantime.

It occurs to me that, where the Hohmann inbound won't ever meet its subsequent Hohmann outbound, paths at least will cross where there are five pairs. Not a meeting but close-enow for a cargo boost, nu?

I propose a purpose for our ten regular Hohmann trajectories: nonperishable supplies. Our Hohmann passengers might appreciate a depot en route, from a different Hohmann. The Venus-to-Earth runs would contain propellant (fling it over by tether); the Earth-to-Venus, essential metallics. Both carry food. And of course either planet can add to the Hohmann's cargo on its way past.

On the converse side - space junk. Watch out for that. Although the Lagrange basins in addition to the Solar wind and don't forget two planets all stand to spread that out, some.

Also, if there is a habitat on the cycler route (which I don't recommend): legislate that one shuttlecraft be left docked to it. This is for whoever forgets to disembark. That shuttle can join another Hohmann on its own way, so the stray isn't left alone for 2800 days.

WHICH ONE 11/29: Outbound Venus-to-Earth will meet STL5 inbound. Also known as, four synods ago.