Organization of uniform dispersal for group of small satellites after their separation and acceptable spread at stages of their further approaches

Abstract

Mutual-relative motion of satellites constellation after their placing into initial orbit is characterized the satellites reiterated approaches to minimal distances. Determined separation conditions for each satellite pair in constellation, which realization leads to minimal satellites approaches. It was sustained, that distances between satellites can reach extreme minimal values due to minor angular deviations of orbit planes and always occurring flight altitudes long-period oscillations. Received analytical relations for estimation of angular deviations and distances between satellites orbit planes at the phases of periodical approaches. It was approved that in some vicinity of orbit numbers can occur following almost simultaneously: small differences of angular distances from the equator for any satellite pair in constellation; minimal angular deviations of satellites orbit planes (in general they have different precession after separation of different directions and with various velocities). Analytical relationships were numerically confirmed with using software for satellites movement prediction at the phases of their approaches to the minimum distances. The area of satellites separation parameters was built, with its implementation in a small vicinity of flight orbits the satellites approach to distances less than 100 m. The minimum distance in the specified area according to the single calculations is ~10 m.