Constant Momentum Exchange to Maintain Spacecraft Formations

摘要

Many satellite applications, including remote sensing, can greatly benefit from the implementation of satellite formations. Using traditional propulsion methods, actively controlled satellite formations are only sustainable for a finite lifetime dictated by the amount of available propellant mass. Using electromagnetic acceleration and momentum exchange techniques via mass transfer, a satellite formation can theoretically operate for an infinite lifetime. The fundamental satellite formation of interest is a pair of symmetrically orbiting halo satellites referred to as a tandem satellite pair. A collection of formation flying tandem satellites can form a platoon formation. The conducted analysis focuses on the transfer of solid particles between tandem satellite pairs; however, the analytical techniques used are readily applicable to both laser and liquid droplet momentum exchange scenarios. The analysis supports the claim that momentum exchange techniques can provide the required station-keeping thrust to enable both tandem satellite formations and satellite platoon formations and sustain a satellite formation for a theoretically infinite lifetime with a theoretically infinite specific impulse.