optimal satellite formation establishment about an oblate planet

This paper suggests a new approach for generating bounded motion between two space- craft orbiting an oblate planet. As opposed to most works, the suggested approach does not rely on averaging the osculating orbital elements. Instead, the problem is formulated in local-vertical local-horizontal coordinates, without approximating the gravitational po- tential. The underlying methodology relies on the concept of 1:1 orbit commensurability, which, unlike the Kepler unperturbed case, splits into two separate necessary and sufficient conditions: An equality between the radial periods of the two spacecraft and two appro- priately defined angles. For equatorial orbits, closed-form expressions for the required impulsive maneuvers are found.