This paper considers a satellite inspection mission where the deputy satellite is required to remain a fixed distance away from the chief satellite. This constraint on the deputy’s state is modeled as the surface of a sphere. Finding minimum energy solutions to travel from one point to another point on the sphere requires solving a nonconvex optimal control problem. Various novel suboptimal algorithms are proposed that can guarantee a feasible solution. These algorithms are benchmarked by optimal values obtained via a global continuation method, and their computational performance is analyzed in a statistical setting.
Spherically Constrained Relative Motion Trajectories in Low Earth Orbit
Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics ; 46 , 4 ; 666-679
2023-04-01
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English