Satellite constellation build-up via three-body dynamics

Abstract

In this article, a method for satellite constellation build-up is presented based on three-body dynamics. This method enables satellite constellation build-up with single launch and less energy and time by designing round trip trajectories from low Earth orbit to halo orbit and by distributing satellites in orbital planes. Stable and unstable manifolds associated with halo orbit around L₁ and multiple shooting method are used in order to design trajectories. Multiple shooting method is a powerful tool for solving two-point boundary value problems with high rate of convergence. For satellite constellation build-up, a transfer trajectory from low Earth park orbit to the halo orbit and six return trajectories from halo orbit to six orbital planes which form the constellation are needed. Comparison of results of the method presented in this study with other conventional methods shows its relative advantages including reduced energy, time and cost needed for satellite constellation build-up.