Coordinated Orbit Transfer for Satellite Clusters

Abstract

We propose a control law which allows a satellite formation to achieveorbit transfer. During the transfer, the formationcan be either maintained or modified to a desired one.Based on the orbit transfer control law proposed by Chang, Chichka and Marsden forsingle satellite,we add coupling terms to the summation of Lyapunov functions forsingle satellites. These terms are functionsof the difference between the mean anomalies (or perigee passing times) of formation members. The asymptotic stability of the desired formationin desired orbits is proved.