Constellation design and low-thrust station-keeping strategy for satellites in inclined geosynchronous orbits

Lincheng Li, Jingrui Zhang, Ioannis Gkolias, Camilla Colombo

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

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Small constellations of satellites in Inclined Geosynchronous Orbits (IGSO) provide an alternative to the increasingly crowded Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) belt. Satellite platforms equipped with electric propulsion systems increase in popularity since they broaden the mission design opportunities due to the potentially significant propellant savings. This work focuses on low-thrust IGSO constellation design and station-keeping strategies. An analytical procedure based on a Hamiltonian formulation with respect to the ecliptic plane is used for the selection of suitable frozen orbits. Considering appropriate dynamical modelling, the low-thrust station-keeping problem is transformed into a Two Point Boundary Value Problem (TPBVP), which is then solved by an impulsive-solution-based initial costate guess.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 IEEE 10th International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ICMAE 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages108-114
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781728155357
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2019
Event10th IEEE International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ICMAE 2019 - Brussels, Belgium
Duration: 22 Jul 201925 Jul 2019

Publication series

Name2019 IEEE 10th International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ICMAE 2019

Conference

Conference10th IEEE International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ICMAE 2019
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityBrussels
Period22/07/1925/07/19

Keywords

  • Constellation design
  • Inclined geosynchronous orbit
  • Low thrust
  • Station keeping

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