Formation flying dynamics analysis by means of a virtual multibody approach

• The aim of this paper is to propose the multibody approach as an alternative method for the analysis of the relative motion in a satellite formation and the evaluation of the related control effort. In the suggested implementation the spacecraft are substituted by the joints of a multibody system in which the links, represented as virtual structural elements, reproduce the relative constraints in position and attitude among the platforms. The idea is to consider the commanded, time-varying orientation and length of the links such that the joints will eventually assume the relative geometry which is the formation's target state at a given time. The forces and torques to be provided to the real spacecraft belonging to the formation are related to the reaction torques and forces which are provided at the joints in the corresponding multibody representation. These reactions can be easily computed by available multibody codes, and can be inserted in a standard orbital propagator to compute the dynamical behaviour of a formation and to validate the approach.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Annan elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Onboard space systems

Rymdtekniska system

Publication and Content Type

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kon (subject category)