Formation control of multiple spacecraft flying in deep space about the L2 libration point is investigated. Dynamics of the spacecraft is formulated as a circular restricted three-body problem with Sun and Earth as the two primaries. A virtual structure (VS) concept is used as a framework for multiple spacecraft formation in which the centre of the virtual rigid body is assumed to follow a nominal orbit around the L2 libration point. Control is applied to each individual spacecraft so as to keep a constant relative distance from the centre of the vs. The relative formation dynamics is nonlinear and control of this system is carried out using a relatively new suboptimal control technique called as theta-D technique. The theta-D method provides approximate analytical solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. As it is a feedback control and in a closed form, it is implementable. Simulation results demonstrate that this controller is able to provide millimeter level formation flying accuracy.
- Multiple Spacecraft Formation Control,
- Relative Formation Dynamics,
- Theta-D Method,
- Virtual Structure Concept
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/henry-pernicka/37/