Coordinated orbit transfer for satellite clusters

We propose a control law which allows a satellite formation to achieve orbit transfer. During the transfer, the formation can be either maintained or modified to a desired one. Based on the orbit transfer control law proposed by Chang, Chichka and Marsden (2002) for single satellite, we add coupling terms to the summation of Lyapunov functions for single satellites. These terms are functions of the difference between the mean anomalies (or perigee passing times) of formation members. The asymptotic stability of the desired formation in desired orbits is proved.