Title: Satellite formation flying control using an innovative technique subject to electromagnetic acceleration

Authors: Shafeeq Kaheal Tealib; Yehia Abdel-Aziz; Mervat El-Said Awad; Khalil Ibrahim Khalil; Mohmed Radwan

Addresses: National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), 11421-Helwan, Cairo, Egypt ' National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), 11421-Helwan, Cairo, Egypt ' Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613-Giza, Cairo, Egypt ' National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), 11421-Helwan, Cairo, Egypt ' Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613-Giza, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: The electrostatic charge became a possible method to control both orbital and attitude motion without fuel consumption or reduce the fuel cost. This study needs to install an ion collector on the satellite to increase the level of charging as artificial charging. In this paper, we developed a linearised satellite relative motion and a combination of Lorentz forces provided by modulating spacecraft's electrostatic charge (magnetic and electric fields) that can be used to keep the desired relative distances and orientations considering J₂ perturbation. The proposed controller contains a feedback control using a real-time fuel-optimal control approach is considered for satellite formation control in eccentric orbits based on the developed linear J₂ dynamic model. Comprehensive simulation numerical results confirmed the capability of Lorentz force to correct the drift in the relative position of formation flying due to the effect of J₂, these corrections depend on the value of charge to mass ratio and magnitude of the relative position.

Keywords: Lorentz-force; electrostatic charge; relative motion; second zonal harmonics; Legendre pseudospectral.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2020.110360

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2020 Vol.6 No.2, pp.147 - 164

Received: 13 Jan 2020
Accepted: 26 Mar 2020
Published online: 15 Oct 2020 *

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