Abstract This paper innovatively proposes six scale-independent relative orbital elements, that can be used for dynamics analysis and control for relative motion with near-circular orbits and arbitrary inter-satellite separation. Scale-independent relative orbital elements are deduced from the first-order decomposed relative motion model. These elements reveal the twisted elliptical characteristics of large-range relative motion and standard elliptical characteristics of close-range relative motion. The error of the proposed relative orbital elements keeps zero for circular orbits and the error is irrelevant to inter-satellite range. Based on the scale-independent relative orbital elements, the configuration design equation is established. Given the configuration requirements, the initial orbital elements of the deputy can be calculated. The autonomous configuration control problem is studied by means of artificial potential functions. Scale-independent relative orbital elements are used as control variables, and the large-range reconfiguration and collision avoidance control are realized with low control consumption.
Highlights Six independent configuration parameters are proposed for near-circular and arbitrary separation relative motion. The configuration design equation for large-range relative motion is formulated. Reconfiguration and collision avoidance control for large-range distributed space systems are realized autonomously.
Modeling and control of scale-independent relative orbital elements for near-circular orbits
Acta Astronautica ; 198 ; 642-658
2022-05-23
17 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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