Swarm Emergence Control Algorithm for Spacecraft Cluster Flight

The swarm emergence mechanisms and control algorithm for spacecraft cluster flight are investigated in this paper. Firstly, the concept and mechanisms of swarm emergence along with the swarm control problem of spacecraft cluster flight are introduced. Secondly, based on spacecraft relative motion dynamics, combined with the graph theory and the Olfati swarm control algorithm, a distributed swarm control algorithm with the dynamic switching topology for the spacecraft cluster flight is developed to achieve global coordinated swarm emergence, and maintain the stable relative range between communication spacecrafts to avoid collision. Finally, some numerical simulation works are carried out and the feasibility and effectiveness of control algorithm is verified.