Formations of Drag-Free Satellites

Paper number

IAC-05-D1.2.02

Author

Dr. Stephan Theil, Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Martin From, Luleå Technical University, Sweden

Coauthor

Mr. Lorenzo Pettazzi, ZARM - University of Bremen, Germany

Coauthor

Mrs. Silvia Scheithauer, ZARM - University of Bremen, Germany

Year

2005

Abstract

For future scientific space missions several enabling technologies has been evolved. Two of them are (1) the formation flying (including formation control) and (2) the disturbance reduction or so called drag-free control. Both technologies involve the dynamics of more than a single body as well as a six degree of freedom control of spacecraft.

On one hand a compensation of non-gravitational forces on the members of a formation by a drag-free control system would help to control and maintain a formation of multiple spacecraft. On the other hand for future scientific space mission the need may arise to have several disturbance free satellites in a formation. Both needs lead to the conclusion that a combination of drag-free control and formation flying has a high potential for high performance space missions.

The goal of this composition is to combine the advantages of both principles in order to improve the performance. Since both control systems affect all degrees of freedom the combination would not be quite simple. Therefore different approaches of implementation are possible.

This paper will present the proposed combination of formation flying and drag-free control, its advantages as well as different approaches. In addition, possible applications of this combination of two key technologies will be discussed in order to show the relevance for future scientific space missions.

Abstract document

IAC-05-D1.2.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-D1.2.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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