Distributed spacecraft flying in formation can overcome the resolution limitations of monolithic, Earth-sensing systems. However, formation spacecraft must now expend fuel to counteract disturbances and the gravity gradients between spacecraft. We consider three different formation architectures and determine the (Delta)(nu) required to maintain relative positions at accuracies from 0.1 to 10 m (1(sigma)). The three architectures considered are: (i) Leader/Follower, in which individual spacecraft controllers track with respect to a passive, leader spacecraft, (ii) Center of Formation, in which individual spacecraft controllers track with respect to the geometric center of the formation, and (iii) Iterated Virtual Structure, in which a formation template is fit each timestep and individual spacecraft controllers track with respect to the fitted template.


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    Title :

    Precision Formation Delta-V Requirements for Distributed Platforms in Earth Orbit


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SPIE Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Ocean, Environment, and Space Conference ; 2004 ; Honolulu, HI, United States


    Publication date :

    2004-11-09


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English