Micro-Electromagnetic Formation Flight of Satellite Systems

Kwon, Daniel W.; Sedwick, Raymond J.; Sakaguchi, Aya

doi:10.2514/6.2010-8725

Cited by 1 publication

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The equations for the force and the torque exerted on spacecraft B by spacecraft A, as shown in Figure 2, are given as 4,5 :…”

Section: Electromagnetic Forces and Torquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Satellite formation flight may provide several advantages for space-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) missions. [1][2][3][4][5] The overall principle is that a formation of smaller satellites can gather more and higher quality data than a monolithic satellite. 6 In a cross-track InSAR application, 7 two satellites are maintained at a fixed distance from each other in cross-track positions, so that the cross-track distance between the satellites functions as a baseline for the interferometer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous paper, the viability of using conventional conductors to replace the HTS coils in EMFF was analyzed. 4 Using conventional conductors reduces the complexity of the system because thermal control for the HTS coils is not needed. This approach is called micro-EMFF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach is called micro-EMFF. 4 As conventional conductors cannot carry huge amounts of current, micro-EMFF can only be used in formations at smaller separation distances on the order of meters and requiring small forces. 4 In the present paper, micro-EMFF is proposed to be used in the relative station-keeping of small satellites in an array along the cross-track direction for cross-track InSAR missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 As conventional conductors cannot carry huge amounts of current, micro-EMFF can only be used in formations at smaller separation distances on the order of meters and requiring small forces. 4 In the present paper, micro-EMFF is proposed to be used in the relative station-keeping of small satellites in an array along the cross-track direction for cross-track InSAR missions. The separation distances of the satellites are relatively small (on the order of meters); therefore, multiple satellites should be positioned consecutively along the cross-track direction to produce comparatively large baselines (on the order of 100 m).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Equilibrium and station-keeping efficiency of cross-track multi-satellite arrays using a micro-electromagnetic formation flight

Wang

Zhao

Tang

2013

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G:

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Electromagnetic formation flying is a novel concept of controlling the relative degrees of freedom of a satellite formation without the expenditure of fuel by using high-temperature superconducting wires to create magnetic dipoles. Microelectromagnetic formation flying, which is an alternative to electromagnetic formation flying in terms of reduced complexity, uses conventional conductors to replace the high-temperature superconducting coils in electromagnetic formation flying, shortening the separation distances between the electromagnets. This paper investigates the use of micro-electromagnetic formation flying for providing relative position control for unperturbed station-keeping in a multisatellite array along the cross-track direction that can be used in cross-track interferometric synthetic aperture radar applications. Considering that conventional conductors produce small separation distances between electromagnets, comparatively large baselines can be achieved by positioning multiple satellites consecutively in an array. The existence of equilibrium positions of the satellites is demonstrated. The station-keeping efficiency of the formation satellites is studied. It is found that the electromagnetic dipoles on neighboring satellites should be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to obtain the maximum station-keeping efficiency of the formation; correspondingly, the equilibrium positions of the satellites along the cross-track direction are symmetrical about the center of mass of the formation. A method for maximizing the station-keeping efficiency of the formation using micro-electromagnetic formation flying is also presented, using feasible designs for small satellite formations as examples.

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“…The equations for the force and the torque exerted on spacecraft B by spacecraft A, as shown in Figure 2, are given as 4,5 :…”

Section: Electromagnetic Forces and Torquesmentioning

confidence: 99%