Cluster flight is defined as the operation of multiple cooperative satellites under minimum and maximum distance constraints. Unlike traditional orbit injection of multiple noncooperative satellites, judicious constraints should be imposed on the orbit injection of a cluster. Moreover, the orbital injection should enable a fuel-efficient cluster establishment maneuver. This study develops constraints for the orbit injection of a satellite cluster. Evaluation of feasible orbit injection scenarios is performed. Particular launch vehicles and a concomitant set of orbital injection scenarios are found, which are the most suitable for long-term operation of a cluster. In addition, an efficient cluster establishment control method is developed, which prevents the cluster from drifting apart too rapidly. Several orbit injection scenarios are simulated and their feasibility for a planned cluster flight mission is evaluated. It is shown that both the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Dnepr launcher can be used. In addition, a new customized release procedure is developed, which guarantees cross-track separation among the satellites, a desirable feature in a number of practical missions.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Orbit Injection Considerations for Cluster Flight of Nanosatellites




    Publication date :

    2015




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    55.60 Raumfahrttechnik
    Local classification TIB:    770/7040



    Orbit Injection Considerations for Cluster Flight of Nanosatellites

    Wen, Changxuan / Zhang, Hao / Gurfil, Pini | AIAA | 2014


    SAMSON - Geolocation with Nanosatellites Cluster Flight

    Palti, Y. / Herscovitz, J. / Hadad, A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2013


    On-Orbit Autonomous Assembly from Nanosatellites

    Murchison, Luke S. / Martinez, Andres / Petro, Andrew | NTRS | 2015


    CENTRALIZED VERSUS DISTRIBUTED FLIGHT SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE OPERATIONAL DIFFERENCES ON TWO IDENTICAL NANOSATELLITES IN-ORBIT

    Goenaga, Rainer Diaz De Cerio / Moreno-Ibáñez, Manuel / Pino, Josep et al. | TIBKAT | 2021


    Method for On-Orbit Thrust Estimation for Microthrusters Based on Nanosatellites

    Yang, Qinglin / Zhou, Weijing / Ye, Jifei et al. | ASCE | 2022