arXiv (Cornell University) · 2015 · 57 citations · 1 references
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringAstrodynamicsOrbital MechanicsSpacecraft DesignOrbit DeterminationSatellite InstrumentationSatellite Orbit DeterminationSatellite Orbit DynamicsSatellite OrbitsSpacecraft Trajectory DesignDifferential Drag ControlDynamic Orbit DeterminationPrecise Orbit DeterminationRelative Motion ControlRelative Motion DynamicsRelative Motion ModelingRelative Orbit DeterminationRelative Orbital Motion
We present methodology and mission results from orbit determination of Planet Labs nanosatellites and differential-drag control of their relative motion. Orbit determination (OD) is required on Planet Labs satellites to accurately predict the positioning of satellites during downlink passes and we present a scalable OD solution for large fleets of small satellites utilizing two-way ranging. In the second part of this paper, we present mission results from relative motion differential-drag control of a constellation of satellites deployed in the same orbit.
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