A Low Energy Consumption High Continuity Maintenance Method of Low Earth Orbit Constellation Using Atmosphere Drag

Abstract:

To address the decline of lifespan and overall performance caused by frequent maneuver in traditional constellation maintenance， this paper proposes an autonomous relative structure maintenance method using atmosphere drag. First， it clarifies the relationship between atmosphere drag and orbital phase of low earth orbit(LEO) satellite by theoretical analysis. Next， considering the constraint of satellite power and attitude control， It designs a method by rotating solar panel to change effective frontal area of the satellite so as to achieve autonomous structure maintenance of LEO constellation. Finally， it conducts a simulation and validates that by changing frontal area of solar panel， the relative phase deviation of two satellites is maintained within 0.1 degree. The relative semi-axis deviation is controlled within 40 meters. Active station-keeping control is not needed in one year， and this method saves at least 13.284 kg of fuel consumption in entire lifespan of satellite. Therefore， the continuity of satellite services is ensured and lifetime of satellite is prolonged.