In this paper, the optimal reconfiguration trajectories that minimize energy in satellite formation flying were determined. Reconfiguration trajectories are used to move satellites from their current positions to new desired positions. They are able t...
In this paper, the optimal reconfiguration trajectories that minimize energy in satellite formation flying were determined. Reconfiguration trajectories are used to move satellites from their current positions to new desired positions. They are able to provide flexibility to space missions. Optimal reconfiguration trajectories of formation flying satellites require both a general orbital dynamic equation and an effective nonlinear control method. Therefore, equations of relative motion which include the effects caused by the reference orbit eccentricity and the J2 perturbation are derived, and a nonlinear control method called the state-dependent Riccati equation control method is utilized to solve the optimal control problem.Using newly developed models, reconfiguration trajectories were calculated with a variety of eccentricity and maneuver distances; in addition, these models were compared with other models using linearized equations of relative motion. As a result, the new models showed that formation flying satellites arrived at the desired location with accuracy of 0.1% in maneuver distance, even though maneuver distances were increased to hundreds of kilometers. It was that the optimal trajectories were able to minimize required energy for reconfiguration maneuver and reduce mission cost expected this study.