A co-operative control method for spacecraft formation configuration maintenance

This paper addresses a co-operative control strategy based on cyclic pursuit theory for spacecraft formation to maintain the configuration. Each spacecraft in formation tracks its nearest neighbor and only relative LOS measurement is required. The probability of this algorithm used in space mission is demonstrated. A reference beacon is introduced to the algorithm to compensate the control algorithm and improve its performance. A basic case of 4-spacecraft formation flying in a circular orbit in one plane is studied. Effect of different control gains to the performance is analyzed. Results show that the formation can achieve configuration maintenance autonomously. Moreover, the fuel consumption is approved to be balanced under the designed control law.