Mission Analysis of Formation Flying with Three Satellites for Earth Gravity Field Exploring
- Paper number
IAC-06-C1.8.10
- Author
Mr. Tan Tian, DFH Satellite Co. Ltd., China
- Coauthor
Dr. Zhang Xiaomin, DFH Satellite Co. Ltd., China
- Coauthor
Mr. Zhang Jialei, DFH Satellite Co. Ltd., China
- Year
2006
- Abstract
A mission of formation flying with three satellites for earth gravity field exploring is progressed in this paper, satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST) is established among the three satellites. Analysis and briefly design about this mission and corresponding simulation results are provided. New characteristics and advantages of tri-satellite mission compared with twin-satellite mission: higher accuracy of exploring, higher sensitivity along latitude (east-west), improvement of temporal and spatial resolution on the side of time-varying gravity field. In this paper, a tri-satellite formation is planned. Satellite A is behind of satellite B about 250km in same orbit. Satellite C in another orbit makes relative motion perpendicularity to the orbit plane of satellite A and B, the two end points of this relative motion track, together with the position of satellite A, constitute a equilateral triangle. Satellite A and satellite B compose a mode similar GRACE, satellite C upgrade the system with new pattern like pendulum. A sun-synchronous orbit and polar orbit are designed with altitude about 500km. The formation initialization is implemented by accurate orbit control including altitude control and station control. A long term formation flying stabilization and maintenance is investigated, which utilizes differential atmospheric drag due to differential area-mass ratio of satellites. And a K-band ranging system (KBR) is used to satisfy the measurement accuracy of range between satellites. This research is supported by CNSA(China National Space Administration). Subject Words: Mission Analysis, Satellite Formation Flying, Earth Gravity
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C1.8.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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