Heliotropic frozen orbits design for high area-to-mass ratio spacecraft

Abstract

Heliotropic orbits and frozen orbits both possess unique advantages in Earth observation missions and communication service. However, few scholars have found an orbit which possesses heliotropic and frozen characteristics at the same time. This paper obtains novel heliotropic frozen orbits through a proposed control strategy, which is accomplished by adjusting the area-to-mass ratio and the attitude angles. First, we construct the dynamical model of high area-to-mass ratio spacecraft under the effect of J2 perturbation and solar radiation pressure. Then, nominal heliotropic frozen orbits are solved by assuming that the obliquity angle of the ecliptic with respect to the equator is zero. Finally, a control strategy is proposed to maintain heliotropic frozen orbits when the obliquity angle of the ecliptic with respect to the equator is considered. In addition, practical examples are provided to verify the heliotropic and frozen characteristics and the robustness of the controlled orbits. Orbit design for Earth observation and communication service is also studied.