Keywords

spacecraft interferometry, formation flight

Abstract

Separated spacecraft interferometry missions will require spacecraft to move in a coordinated fashion to ensure minimal and balanced consumption of fuel. This paper develops strategies for determining interferometry mission plans that result in significant fuel savings over standard approaches. Simulation results demonstrate that valuable reductions in fuel consumption can be realized by combining the retargeting and imaging maneuvers required to image multiple stellar sources. Fuel-optimal imaging strategies have been developed for two-spacecraft interferometry missions similar to the proposed Space Technology 3 mission using chained local optimization methods. Based on these strategies, sampling pattern guidelines for space-borne interferometry missions have been developed.

Original Publication Citation

Bailey, C., McLain, T., and Beard, R. Fuel Saving Strategies for Separated Spacecraft Interferometry, Proceedings of the AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, AIAA-2000-4441, August 2000, Denver, Colorado.

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2000-8

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3873

Publisher

AIAA

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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