Adaptive nonlinear control of satellite formation flying

This paper considers the problem of relative position control for multiple satellite for- mation flying (MSFF). Specifically, the full nonlin- ear dynamics describing the relative positioning of MSFF are used to develop a Lyapunov-based, non- linear adaptive control law that guarantees global asymptotic convergence of the position tracking er- ror in the presence of unknown, constant or slow- varying satellite masses, disturbance forces, and gravity forces. Simulation results are included to illustrate the controller performance. Orbiter. Recently, Ref. 6 considered MSFF control for NASA's NM1 mission using separated spacecraft interferometry. Similarly, Ref. 7 considered MSFF control for NASA's EO-I mission which is scheduled to demonstrate a stereo imaging concept in 1999.