Decentralized Scheme for Spacecraft Formation Flying via the Virtual Structure Approach

Abstract

Built on the combined strength of decentralized control and the recently introduced virtual structure approach, a decentralized formation scheme for spacecraft formation flying is presented. Following a decentralized coordination architecture via the virtual structure approach, decentralized formation control strategies are introduced, which are appropriate when a large number of spacecraft are involved and/or stringent interspacecraft communication limitations are exerted. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategies is demonstrated through simulation results.