Differential-drag algorithms for satellite cluster flight in the Samson mission

Ohad Ben Yaacov, Pini Gurfil

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The idea of differential drag (DD) as a means for fuelless satellite cluster keeping emerged in the mid-Eighties, when the feasibility of DD-based control was proven assuming linearized relative dynamics for two satellites. The present work develops a new DD-based cluster keeping method suitable for implementation in long-term cluster flight missions consisting of multiple satellites. This algorithm has been implemented on the nanosatellites planned to be launch as part of the Space Autonomous Mission for Swarming and Geo-locating Nanosatellites (SAMSON). Obviously, any drag-based algorithm must cope with aerodynamical and mechanical uncertainties. The overall error related to drag calculation is inevitable and could be as high as one or two orders of magnitude, which can be crucial for any drag-based control. Hence, a covariance analysis of the closed-loop system was developed, in the presence of drag uncertainties, initial condition-related uncertainties and measurement noise. A Kalman filter is designed in order to generate inputs to the differential drag controller. The variance of the differential mean semimajor axis is propagated analytically using the Linear Covariance Analysis (LCA) technique, which enables to propagate the augmented state and filter covariance without propagating the state itself. The results show that all these uncertainties have relatively small affect on the inter-satellite distance, even for long term, which prove the robustness of the differential drag controller.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication66th International Astronautical Congress 2015, IAC 2015
Subtitle of host publicationSpace - The Gateway for Mankind's Future
Pages5954-5963
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781510818934
StatePublished - 2015
Event66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015 - Jerusalem, Israel
Duration: 12 Oct 201516 Oct 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume8

Conference

Conference66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityJerusalem
Period12/10/1516/10/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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