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Satellite formation design in orbits of high eccentricity for missions with performance criteria specified over a region of interest

Several methods are presented for the design of satellite formations for science missions in high-eccentricity reference orbits with quantifiable performance criteria specified throughout only a portion the orbit, called the Region of Interest (RoI). A modified form of the traditional average along-track drift minimization condition is introduced to account for the fact that performance criteria are only specified within the RoI, and a robust formation design algorithm (FDA) is defined to improve performance in the presence of formation initialization errors. Initial differential mean orbital elements are taken as the design variables and the Gim-Alfriend state transition matrix (G-A STM) is used for relative motion propagation. Using mean elements and the G-A STM allows for explicit inclusion of J2 perturbation effects in the design process. The methods are applied to the complete formation design problem of the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission and results are verified using the NASA General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT). A detailed analytical analysis of third-body perturbation effects on satellite formations is also performed and averaged dynamics are derived for the particular case of the lunar perturbation. Christopher Roscoe is a PhD candidate in the Aerospace Engineering Department working under the supervision of Professors Vadali and Alfriend. His research interests are in the areas of dynamics & control and astrodynamics. He is seeking employment with Applied Defense Solutions, MDA, or Northrop Grumman Aerospace, among other companies in the space industry.