Keywords

formations, satellites, perturbations, controller

Abstract

The potential benefits of autonomous satellite formation flying in such areas as high- resolution remote sensing, and sparse aperture radar, has stimulated interest in modeling the satellite environment for feasibility and simulation studies to help explore and define the technical challenges that must be solved in order to achieve successful autonomous satellite formations. The purpose of this paper is to develop and describe a numerical simulation of the orbital environment including central force field perturbations and atmospheric drag effects which will be a useful analytical tool for investigating issues relating to maintaining satellite formations in low-earth-orbit. Many of the studies done in this area confine their research to circular orbits, with and without perturbation effects. This study will investigate apply orbital dynamic equations to the problem of maintaining satellite formations in both circular and elliptical orbits, with and without the presence of J2 gravity perturbation effects and atmospheric drag. This effort is primarily focused on modeling the orbital mechanics of one and two satellites in the presence of J2 and drag perturbations This effort is being performed as part of a multi-disciplined University of Central Florida KnightSat project, sponsored by the Air Force, to develop a two-satellite formation in the nanosatellite class, for investigating issues related to using formation satellites for remote earth sensing, to develop three-dimensional mapping.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2005

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Johnson, Roger

Degree

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (M.S.A.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Aerospace Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0000898

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000898

Language

English

Release Date

January 2006

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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