Spacecraft formation flying: dynamics and control

TLDR

A distributed array of small, low‑cost, cooperative microspacecraft is being pursued for future missions, and its implementation requires tight control of relative distances and phases between the participating spacecraft. The paper reviews nonlinear and linear spacecraft relative position modeling techniques. The authors develop a mathematically rigorous control design framework for linear control of spacecraft relative position dynamics with guaranteed closed‑loop stability. Illustrative numerical simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Abstract

A concept of a distributed array of small, low-cost, cooperative, and highly coordinated microspacecraft is vigorously being pursued for several future space missions. Implementation of the distributed coordinated spacecraft concept will require tight control of the relative distances and phases between the participating spacecraft. We review nonlinear and linear spacecraft relative position modeling techniques. In addition, we develop a mathematically rigorous control design framework for linear control of spacecraft relative position dynamics with guaranteed closed-loop stability. Finally, illustrative numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.