Abstract
A decentralized control algorithm for the construction of a tetrahedral configuration using differential lift and drag forces is proposed in this paper. Four 3U CubeSats launched in LEO are considered. Satellite attitude-controlled motion relative to the incoming airflow provides the required differential forces in order to change the relative translational motion. The developed control algorithm allows one to track the relative reference trajectories for the satellites at the vertices of the tetrahedron of the required shape and size. The influence of the initial launch conditions on the controlled tetrahedral motion is studied in this paper.
Highlights
One of the most important features of satellite formation flying is the ability to instantly measure the spatial distribution of parameters of interest in near-Earth space
A decentralized control scheme is proposed a tetrahedral formation flying using scheme is proposed for afor tetrahedral formation flying using aerodynamic force with the lift component. This scheme considers the constraints on the aerodynamic force with the lift component
It was shown that the control scheme can successfully lead to force maximum values
Summary
One of the most important features of satellite formation flying is the ability to instantly measure the spatial distribution of parameters of interest in near-Earth space. In [12], stationary configurations for a tethered tetrahedron were studied It was shown in [13] that for low Earth orbits, it is possible to define such initial conditions of passive satellite motion that allow for the tetrahedron to preserve its volume and shape in a linear model. Differential, drag-based, formation flying control is well-studied in the literature Leonard first proposed such a control using the change of the satellites cross section area relative to the incoming airflow in 1986 [15]. In 2013, Horsley et al [20] proposed an idea to use the lift and drag components of aerodynamic force for formation flying control that allowed them to control the relative out-of-plane and in-plane motion. The convergence time, depending on the initial conditions and tetrahedron size, is investigated
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