Abstract
The goal of this study is to compute and analyze the optimal reconfiguration of an n-spacecraft formation where the distances between the spacecraft are small compared to the radius of the reference orbit. An optimal low-thrust continuous transfer scheme with no upper or lower bounds on thrust acceleration is chosen to simplify the analysis. Trends and concepts of a single transfer within a projected circular formation are examined with the goal of extending this information to a general, full reconfiguration. In this analysis, effects of relative phasing, position within the absolute orbit, and transfer time are related to a chosen performance index. Also, an analytical approximation is developed to predict optimal transfers.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | AAS 05-101 |
| Pages (from-to) | 3-21 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Advances in the Astronautical Sciences |
| Volume | 120 |
| Issue number | I |
| State | Published - 2005 |
| Event | AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechaics Meeting - Spaceflight Mechanics 2005 - Copper Mountain, CO, United States Duration: Jan 23 2005 → Jan 27 2005 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Aerospace Engineering
- Space and Planetary Science