In this paper, we extend primer vector analysis to formation flying. Optimization of the classical rendezvous or free-time transfer problem between two orbits using primer vector theory has been extensively studied for one spacecraft. However, an increasing number of missions are now considering flying a set of spacecraft in close formation. Missions such as the Magnetospheric MultiScaIe (MMS) and Leonardo-BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) need to determine strategies to transfer each spacecraft from the common launch orbit to their respective operational orbit. In addition, all the spacecraft must synchronize their states so that they achieve the same desired formation geometry over each orbit. This periodicity requirement imposes constraints on the boundary conditions that can be used for the primer vector algorithm. In this work we explore the impact of the periodicity requirement in optimizing each spacecraft transfer trajectory using primer vector theory. We first present our adaptation of primer vector theory to formation flying. Using this method, we then compute the budget for each spacecraft subject to different formation endpoint constraints.


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    Title :

    Initialization of Formation Flying Using Primer Vector Theory


    Contributors:
    L. Mailhe (author) / C. Schiff (author) / D. Folta (author)

    Publication date :

    2003


    Size :

    12 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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