Formation Control for a CubeSat Constellation
Author
Orrico, Paula Emilia
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-06-06
Pages
90
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan man styrer grupper ("konstellationer") af små, billige CubeSats, der flyver sammen i lavt kredsløb om Jorden. Fordi en enkelt CubeSat har begrænset plads til instrumenter, kombinerer man ofte to til fireogtyve CubeSats for at løse opgaver som at måle Jordens magnetfelt eller inspicere området omkring et større rumfartøj i forbindelse med vedligeholdelse. Målet er at udforme en distribueret kontrolstrategi – hvor hver satellit træffer beslutninger ud fra delt information – der holder formationen stabil. I praksis skal satellitterne opretholde sikre indbyrdes afstande og passende relative hastigheder i forhold til hinanden og et udvalgt mål, mens de er i kredsløb. Specialet gennemgår de banedynamikker, der er vigtige for station keeping (at holde en ønsket bane), og diskuterer kontrolteknikker til præcis formationsflyvning for CubeSat-konstellationer omkring Jorden.
This thesis explores how to control groups (“constellations”) of small, low-cost CubeSats that fly together in low Earth orbit. Because a single CubeSat has limited space for instruments, missions often combine two to twenty-four CubeSats to accomplish tasks such as measuring Earth’s magnetic field or inspecting the area around a larger spacecraft for maintenance. The goal is to design a distributed control strategy—where each satellite makes decisions using shared information—that keeps the formation stable. In practical terms, the satellites must maintain safe separations and appropriate relative speeds with respect to each other and a designated target while orbiting. The thesis reviews the orbital dynamics relevant to station keeping (holding a desired orbit) and discusses control techniques for precise formation flying of CubeSat constellations around Earth.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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