Inclination Change in Low-Earth Orbit via the Geomagnetic Lorentz Force

摘要

An electrostatically charged spacecraft is subject to Lorentz force perturbations as it orbits a central body with anmagnetic field. On an artificially charged spacecraft, these perturbationsmay be harnessed for orbitalmaneuveringnand are particularly potent for plane-change maneuvers. The Gaussian form of the variational equations is used tondevelop a control lawfor inclination change and to predict the capability of suchmaneuvers.An analytical expressionnprovides the relative evolution of the semimajor axis and the inclination when the Lorentz force is used to change theninclination of a nearly circular orbit.Despite causing significant changes in the semimajor axis, theLorentz forcemaynenable substantial propellant savings for inclination change maneuvers. A constellation reconfiguration example isnpresented inwhich a specific chargemagnitude of 0:01 C=kg leads to a 95%savings over an impulsivemaneuver fornthe redeployment of a low-Earth-orbit constellation from 34 to 55 deg inclination.