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Relative Orbit Propagation and Control for Satellite Formation Flying using Continuous Low-thrust

For the upcoming formation flying technology demonstration mission NetSat a relative orbit propagator as well as a relative orbit controller were developed. The formation will consist of four equal nano-satellites with an electric propulsion system for orbit correction manoeuvres. This demands the use of continuous low-thrust models for relative orbit control, which is a novel field. A software framework was developed which allows orbit simulations of the whole fleet in a fully non-linear environment. The final on-board relative propagator is based on the Gim-Alfriend STM and incorporates eccentricity and the non-spherical shape of the Earth. The controller uses control Lyapunov function-based design and model predictive control, depending on the task. The guidance and control system is able to safely govern the relative motion for one-, two and three-dimensional formation configurations with inter-satellite distances as low as 50m. Based on these results, a complete mission plan is proposed.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:ltu-61664
Date January 2017
CreatorsReinthal, Eric
PublisherLuleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för system- och rymdteknik, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Source SetsDiVA Archive at Upsalla University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeStudent thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text
Formatapplication/pdf
Rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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