Proximity Operations of Formation Flying Spacecraft
(World News Science)

The formation flying concept is becoming really important these days, especially since the development of nano, micro, or small satellites capable of carrying Earth Observation payloads. The usage of this kind of satellite instead of a single, massive satellite improves flexibility and reliability, and greatly reduces cost. If the leader follows a circular Keplerian orbit, then the natural relative motion of the chaser(s) flying close to the leader can be described by the following set of linear differential equations, known as the Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire equations: Where, x is in the in-track direction y is in the radial direction z is in...