KEYWORDS: Satellites, Optical spheres, Space operations, Satellite communications, Space telescopes, Interferometers, Metrology, Telescopes, Algorithm development, Control systems
The Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES), developed by the MIT Space
Systems Laboratory, enable the maturation of control, estimation, and autonomy algorithms for distributed satellite
systems, including the relative control of spacecraft required for satellite formation flight. Three free-flyer
microsatellites are currently on board the International Space Station (ISS). By operating under crew supervision and by
using replenishable consumables, SPHERES creates a risk-tolerant environment where new high-risk yet high-payoff
algorithms can be demonstrated in a microgravity environment. Through multiple test sessions aboard the ISS, the
SPHERES team has incrementally demonstrated the ability to perform formation flight maneuvers with two and three
satellite formations.
The test sessions aboard the Space Station include evaluation of coordinated maneuvers which will be applicable to
interferometric spacecraft formation missions. The satellites are deployed as a formation and required to rotate around a
common center about a given axis, mimicking an interferometer. Various trajectories are then implemented to point the
synthetic aperture in a different orientation by changing the common axis of revolution. Observation-time optimizing
synchronization strategies and fuel balancing/fuel optimizing trajectories are discussed, compared and evaluated
according to resulting mission duration and potential scientific output.
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