title: Near-optimal reconfiguration and maintenance of close spacecraft formations.
abstract: This paper investigates orbit guidance algorithms for formation flying experiments. The relative motion of one satellite about a reference satellite is formulated in terms of a set of parameters that clearly describe the size, shape, and orientation of the formation. A nominal three-impulse burn maneuver algorithm is presented that is applicable for both reconfiguration and maintenance of spacecraft formations. Two methods of implementing the algorithm are discussed, one involving fixed times between each burn and one allowing the wait times to vary. The implications of employing four or more impulses for maneuvers are assessed. Examples applying the algorithm to various formation scenarios are presented, along with practical implications of each result.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, USA. thomas.lovell@kirtland.af.mil
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Tragesser