Abstract In the general 2-satellite formation near Earth, the deputy satellite moves around the chief one, resulting that the relative baseline exhibits the periodical variations in the form of trigonometric functions. In such case, only the certain positions can be employed for interferometric imaging, and the high requirements of Earth observation and remote sensing can be barely satisfied. Therefore, a new tethered satellite-sail system, termed satellite-sail transverse formation, is proposed in this study. The chief satellite is in a sun-synchronous orbit and is connected to one deputy solar sail in a non-Keplerian displaced orbit. Given the continuous solar radiation pressure, the sail can move with the satellite side by side synchronously such that the relative baseline is always perpendicular to the subastral point tracks of the satellites. Our investigation mainly focuses on the relative dynamics and control of the proposed system during the deployment process that is divided into two stages: pop-up and steady release. Subsequently, the deployment dynamics are established considering the chief and deputy satellites as mass points connected by a rigid rod. To ensure a successful deployment, a sliding mode controller with a saturation function is adopted where the control force is provided by the solar radiation pressure and tether tension. The results show that the proposed deployment strategy is successful, and the transverse formation is eventually realized under the smooth rotation of the solar sail.

    Highlights A new tethered satellite-sail system is proposed as satellite-sail transverse formation. The chief satellite is in a sun-synchronous orbit and connected with one deputy solar sail in a displaced orbit. The relative baseline is always perpendicular to the subastral point tracks of satellites. With the aid of solar radiation pressure, the deployment schedule is divided into two stages and ensured by sliding mode controller. The tethered satellite-sail system succeeds in providing the actuators for system attitudes, changing the underactuation property.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Deployment strategy for satellite-sail transverse formation


    Contributors:
    Zuo, Xiaoyu (author) / Pan, Xiao (author) / Xu, Ming (author) / Ma, Lin (author) / Zhang, Jingrui (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 186 ; 242-251


    Publication date :

    2021-05-19


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Station-keeping strategy for tethered drag sail-based transverse formation

    Zuo, Xiaoyu / Xu, Ming / Chen, Lin et al. | Elsevier | 2023


    Solar sail deployment dynamics

    Vatankhahghadim, Behrad / Damaren, Christopher J. | Elsevier | 2020


    ISS-Based Solar Sail Deployment Experiment “BMSTU-Sail”

    Mayorova, Vera / Popov, Alexander / Nerovnyy, Nikolay et al. | Springer Verlag | 2014


    The Satellite Sail

    Pearson, J. | NTRS | 1985