Direct Method for Fuel Optimal Maneuvers of Distributed Spacecraft in Multiple Flight Regimes

摘要

We present a method to solve the impulsive minimum fuel maneuver problem for a distributed set of spacecraft. We develop the method assuming a non-linear dynamics model and parameterize the problem to allow the method to be applicable to multiple flight regimes including low-Earth orbits, highly-elliptic orbits (HEO), Lagrange point orbits, and interplanetary trajectories. Furthermore, the approach is not iimited by the inter-spacecraft separation distances and is applicable to both small formations as well as large constellations. We also apply a set of constraints to ensure that the fuel expenditure is equalized over the spacecraft in formation. We conclude with several examples and present optimal maneuver sequences for both a HE0 and libration point formation.