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A Direct Approach for Minimum Fuel Maneuvers of Distributed Spacecraft in Multiple Flight RegimesIn this work we present a method to solve the impulsive minimum fuel maneuver problem for a distributed set of spacecraft. We develop the method assuming a fully non-linear dynamics model and parameterize the problem to allow the method to be applicable to any flight regime. Furthermore, the approach is not limited by the inter-spacecraft separation distances and is applicable to both small formations as well as constellations. We assume that the desired relative motion is driven by mission requirements and has been determined a-priori. The goal of this work is to develop a technique to achieve the desired relative motion in a minimum fuel manner. To permit applicability to multiple flight regimes, we have chosen to parameterize the cost function in terms of the maneuver times expressed in a useful time system and the maneuver locations expressed in their Cartesian vector representations. We also include as an independent variable the initial reference orbit to solve for the optimal injection orbit to minimize and equalize the fuel expenditure of distributed sets of spacecraft with large inter-spacecraft separations. In this work we derive the derivatives of the cost and constraints with respect to all of the independent variables.
Document ID
20040171674
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hughes, Steven P (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cooley, D. S. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Guzman, Jose J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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