Dynamics analysis of satellite cluster non-coplanar orbit transfer based on geometric method

Abstract

Formation keeping problem of satellite cluster during non-coplanar orbit transfer is studied in this paper. Geometric method model is used to describe the relative motion of satellites in the cluster non-coplanar orbit transfer. As the orbital coordinate system of the center satellite rotates, the original relative orbit cannot be maintained. A concept of formation reconfiguration maneuver is presented. Several strategies are proposed to maintain the relative orbit and optimized by genetic algorithm. The result shows geometric method model is more precise than the C-W equations, the relative orbit of satellite cluster is kept via formation adjusting transfer, and a strategy of indefinite phase and non-synchronous costs least fuel.