Optimal Control Strategies for Constrained Relative Orbits

<p>The US Air Force's ability to protect space assets is enhanced by a proficiency in satellite proximity operations and Space Situational Awareness (SSA). In pursuit of that proficiency this research develops a key capability of interest to mission planners; the ability of a deputy satellite to hover within a defined volume fixed in the vicinity of a chief satellite for an extended period of time. Previous research has developed initial methodologies for maintaining restricted teardrop hover orbits that exist in a plane fixed within the chief's local reference frame. These methods use the natural drift of the deputy satellite in the relative frame and impulsive thrust to keep the deputy in a bounded volume relative to the chief but do not address fuel-optimality. This research extends and enhances that work by finding optimal trajectories produced with discrete-thrusts that minimize fuel spent per unit time and stay within the user-defined volume thus providing a practical hover capability in the vicinity of the chief.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>