Trajectory Planning for Optical Satellite’s Continuous Surveillance of Geostationary Spacecraft

Abstract

This paper focuses on the trajectory planning that optical satellites approach the geostationary (GEO) spacecraft and the trajectory planning that the optical satellite flies around the GEO spacecraft for continuous surveillance of the GEO spacecraft The optical satellite approaches the GEO spacecraft with continuous thrust and flies around the GEO spacecraft without thrust. The observation angles of the optical satellite to the GEO spacecraft are less than 30 degrees throughout the entire fly-around mission. Two methods are used in fly-around trajectory planning: trajectory planning based on classical orbital elements and trajectory planning based on CW equations. The advantage of trajectory planning based on classical orbital elements is that the position of the optical satellite relative to the GEO spacecraft is clear in earthcentered-inertial frame and the calculation method of fly-around orbital elements is simple. If the orbital inclination of the GEO spacecraft is less than 0.02 degrees and the semi-major axis of the elliptical relative trajectory of the fly-around formation is greater than 60 km, fly-around trajectory planning based on classical orbital elements is more efficient and easier than that based on CW equations. Optimal control theory is used in the trajectory planning for optical satellites approaching GEO spacecraft and the trajectory optimization is a two-point boundary-value problem. Simulations have proved that this method is feasible, which is highly effective in engineering. This method can be used for space situational awareness and on-orbit servicing missions of GEO spacecraft.