• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.51-59
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• 2005

In this paper, results of a multiple spacecraft formation-keeping control using the orbital relative motion and optimization technique are presented. To analyze and predict the relative motion between the formation-flying satellites, a closed-form orbit propagator obtained using the method of ephemeris compression is used. This closed-form orbit propagator is combined with optimization technique to plan a series of impulsive maneuvers, which maintain the formation configuration within the specified limit. As an example, this method is applied to the problem of maintaining the projected circular formation geometry and results from nonlinear simulation are presented.