Model predictive control of passive and periodic satellite formation based on linear programming approach

This paper exploits the control algorithm design of fuel-optimal satellite formation keeping strategy using linear programming approach. In the study, a fuel-optimal control problem is converted into a linear programming problem by means of an approximate discretization method. Furthermore, model predictive control approach is adopted to realize the fuel-optimal maneuver. At last, the designed control algorithm is applied to a satellite which maneuvers from an initial orbit to a passive and periodic relative orbit with minimal fuel consumption. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and rapidity of the proposed algorithm.