On the Optimal Balanced-Energy Formation Flying Maneuvers

Spacecraft formation flying has received an enor- mous amount of attention over the past few years as a promising alternative to monolithic- and often large- space structures. Balanced optimal energy control of such distributed space systems guarantees maximum lifetime for these missions and hence is of great importance in mission feasibility studies. In this paper, an optimal control strategy for two and three spacecraft distributed space systems that are commanded to attain new relative coordinates, is proposed, guaranteeing balanced energy consumption among the spacecraft. We will delineate on the relevant mission scenarios both in deep space as well as in close proximity to a gravitational force field as in Earth's orbit. Index Terms— Formation flying, balanced energy reconfig- urations, optimal control