A 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 ∞ying is presented in this paper. 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 or stringent communication bandwidth limitations are exerted. The efiectiveness of the proposed control strategies is demonstrated through simulation results.