Abstract This paper studies a responsive mission involving a dual spacecraft flying formation system. A graphical solution based on the selective dependent variables for acquiring the local and global optimum impulsive velocities is proposed to obtain the minimum orbital transfer velocity changes as well as improving its nadir ground coverage. These studies are conducted using finite thrust of single, dual and three-impulse modes under the condition of unperturbed environment. Based on the obtained results, the relationship between the number of impulses applied and the amount of fuel consumed to retain the leader-follower formation separation is inversely proportional. Whereas, in all cases of the ground metric studies, the formation inclination has shown a dominant influence over other parameters for maximizing the total nadir ground coverage and the swath length.
Highlights The utilization of satellite formation flying system for a dedicated responsive space mission scenario. An indigenous technique for searching an optimum fuel consumption possible for a formation orbital transfer corresponding to a specific formation initial orbit semi-major axis. Multiple impulse comparison in search for a globally optimized fuel consumption for the transfer. The special characteristic graph pattern produced for a specific types of finite impulse thrust. Effects of formation distance variation on the delta-V consumption for the establishment of a formation responsive mission. Ground coverage performance studies for the case of satellite formation double overlap configurations. Satellite formation distance, altitude and inclination variation influences on the acquisition of formation optimum ground performance merits. Studies on other features of ground figure-of-merit such as the maximum nadir area of coverage, the overlap coverage area and the coverage swath length.
Delta-V and ground metric investigations for responsive satellite formation flying
Acta Astronautica ; 193 ; 20-34
2021-12-21
15 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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