Controlling Stationary Satellite Orbits Minimum Fuel Consumption Rate

The orbital angular velocity of a stationary satellite expresses the perturbation in the orbit of the satellite. The minimum variation in direction of this velocity corresponds to the minimum fuel consumption rate to maintain a stationary satellite within allocated bounds. The directional variation of the orbital angular velocity is minimized by maintaining the ascending node of the orbit near the direction of the vernal equinox. The direction of the ascending node to maintain the orbit with minimum fuel consumption rate is given over the 18.6 yr nodal period of the moon. Over that period the inclination variation of the orbit and the angular speed proportional to the necessary fuel consumption rate to maintain the orbit are also given. An example of fuel consumption is given with a comparison with fuel savings over the standard stationkeeping method. The method here is applicable to the geostationary communication satellite, UHF broadcasting satellite, solar power satellite, etc.