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Spacecraft Formation Flying Maneuvers Using Linear Quadratic Regulation With No Radial Axis InputsRegarding multiple spacecraft formation flying, the observation has been made that control thrust need only be applied coplanar to the local horizon to achieve complete controllability of a two-satellite (leader-follower) formation. A formulation of orbital dynamics using the state of one satellite relative to another is used. Without the need for thrust along the radial (zenith-nadir) axis of the relative reference frame, propulsion system simplifications and weight reduction may be accomplished. This work focuses on the validation of this control system on its own merits, and in comparison to a related system which does provide thrust along the radial axis of the relative frame. Maneuver simulations are performed using commercial ODE solvers to propagate the Keplerian dynamics of a controlled satellite relative to an uncontrolled leader. These short maneuver simulations demonstrate the capacity of the controller to perform changes from one formation geometry to another. Control algorithm performance is evaluated based on measures such as the fuel required to complete a maneuver and the maximum acceleration required by the controller. Based on this evaluation, the exclusion of the radial axis of control still allows enough control authority to use Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) techniques to design a gain matrix of adequate performance over finite maneuvers. Additional simulations are conducted including perturbations and using no radial control inputs. A major conclusion presented is that control inputs along the three axes have significantly different relationships to the governing orbital dynamics that may be exploited using LQR.
Document ID
20010028699
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Starin, Scott R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Yedavalli, R. K.
(Ohio State Univ. United States)
Sparks, Andrew G.
(Air Force Research Lab. United States)
Bauer, Frank H.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Meeting Information
Meeting: Flight Dynamics Conference
Country: Canada
Start Date: August 1, 2001
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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