Abstract Differential drag (DD) as a means for fuelless satellite cluster keeping is an old idea, but so far using DD-based cluster keeping while relying on mean orbital elements feedback has not been proposed. This paper develops a DD-based maximum distance keeping method that uses Brouwer-Lyddane differential mean elements feedback for long-term control of the secular drift among satellites. The stability of the maximum distance keeping controller is proven using finite-time stability theory, and high-precision simulation results confirm that the new controller is able to arrest satellite relative drift for mission lifetimes exceeding a year. The maximum distance controller is automatically activated, and does not require a pre-determined activation time. Moreover, as a part of a complete DD-based solution for cluster keeping, a collision-avoidance method based on the same controller structure, albeit with differential osculating elements feedback, is developed and validated. Finally, the possibility to regulate cross-track drift with DD is examined, but it is shown that DD can only provide weak controllability in this case.
Stability and Performance of Orbital Elements Feedback for Cluster Keeping Using Differential Drag
2014
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Stability and Performance of Orbital Elements Feedback for Cluster Keeping Using Differential Drag
Springer Verlag | 2014
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