Optimal Maintenance of Spacecraft with Low-Thrust Engines on Sun-Synchronous Orbit

The problem of sun-synchronous orbit maintenance for the spacecrafts using low-thrust engines is investigated. The required orbital characteristics and evolutions of the orbital parameters associated with drag and solar attraction are analyzed. Discrete mathematical model of the spacecraft motion is developed taking into account the action of limited control. A linear programming method with restriction of thrust based on the application of the interior-point algorithm is used. The combined maintenance strategy is proposed in order to obtain maximum free flight time for spacecraft. This strategy consists of the expectation strategy for longitude control, as well as precautionary strategy for the inclination correction. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is proved by numerical simulations. Distribution of control impulses over each correction circuit is analyzed, the annual summary characteristic velocity value with respect to solar activity is also estimated.

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