Spacecraft Formation Control Using Virtual Chief MPC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently maneuvering spacecraft within a formation while minimizing fuel consumption, due to limited communication bandwidth and computing resources.
Innovation Solution
The method employs model predictive control (MPC) with polytope boundaries to calculate a virtual point representing a spacecraft formation, and then maneuvers a given spacecraft to within specific polytope boundaries to optimize fuel usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional control methods are used to maneuver spacecraft within formation, then fuel consumption increases, but calculation complexity and computational burden also increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control problem by introducing a virtual chief spacecraft that represents the formation, allowing individual deputy spacecraft to be controlled independently relative to this virtual reference. This segmentation enables simplified relative orbit calculations using Hill's equations for each spacecraft separately, reducing overall computational complexity while optimizing fuel consumption through independent maneuver planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual chief spacecraft acts as an intermediary between the formation geometry and individual spacecraft control. By defining the virtual chief at the centroid of the formation and using it as the reference frame origin, the patent mediates the complex multi-spacecraft coordination problem into simpler relative position and velocity calculations, reducing computational burden while maintaining formation integrity.
2Loss of information
If autonomous operation is implemented to reduce ground station computational burden, then communication bandwidth requirements decrease, but on-board computing resources must be sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service autonomous operation by equipping deputy spacecraft with on-board processors that independently calculate relative positions, velocities, and maneuver commands using Hill's equations and the virtual chief reference. Each spacecraft autonomously determines its own control inputs without requiring continuous ground station computation, thereby reducing communication bandwidth requirements while maintaining sufficient computational capability on-board.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise formation maintenance is achieved through frequent maneuvers, then formation accuracy improves, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by calculating maneuver commands at discrete time intervals based on the relative positions and velocities of deputy spacecraft with respect to the virtual chief. Rather than continuous maneuvering, the system periodically assesses formation geometry and applies corrective maneuvers only when necessary to maintain accuracy within specified tolerances, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption while preserving formation precision.
Data Source
AI summary
For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.