Guidance for rendezvous and formation flying in elliptical orbits
T.V. Peters (TU Delft - Astrodynamics & Space Missions)
Pieter N.A.M. Visser – Promotor (TU Delft - Space Engineering)
R. Noomen – Copromotor (TU Delft - Astrodynamics & Space Missions)
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Abstract
The dynamics of rendezvous of spacecraft in circular orbits is a problem that is well-understood and that is regularly taught in orbital mechanics majors, as are the techniques of linearization and the applications of the state transition matrix. The design of strategies for rendezvous and formation flying often makes use of standard building blocks in the form of specific manoeuvres and trajectories. Typical rendezvous manoeuvres include the Hohmann transfer and the radial hop, a manoeuvre that can change the along-track separation but that does not change the semi-major axis. Typical rendezvous and formation flying trajectories include drift orbits, safe orbits and hold points on V-bar. In this study, the Hohmann transfer, the radial hop and the useful relative trajectories were generalized to elliptical orbits, and this has enabled the application of the insights gained from circular orbit rendezvous and formation flying to elliptical orbits. The insights gained from the theoretical developments have been applied to the mission analysis for Proba-3, a formation flying mission in a highly elliptical orbit.