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Published January 2001 | Published
Journal Article Open

Satellite Clusters with Constant Apparent Distribution

Abstract

The problem of creating a cluster of satellites such that the arrangement maintains its apparent relative formation as viewed from the planetary surface, without active station keeping, is considered. It is shown that it is possible to create a cluster with nearly constant circular form, but that rotates about its center. The amount of variation from the perfect circle is characterized in terms of the eccentricity of the satellite orbits. Because of the nature of the cluster, it is possible to put a large number of satellites into a cluster, with no danger of satellite collisions. An illustrative example is included.

Additional Information

© 2001 AIAA. Received 13 October 1998; revision received 7 March 2000; accepted for publication 15 May 2000. The author wishes to thank D. L. Mingori of the University of California, Los Angeles, for several helpful comments and conversations.

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