Orbital maneuvers using low thrust to place a satellite in a constellation (Q936187)

Summary: This paper considers the problem of low thrust suboptimal maneuvers to insert a satellite in a constellation. It is assumed that a satellite constellation is given with all Keplerian elements of the satellite members having known values. Then, it is necessary to maneuver a new satellite from a parking orbit to its position in the constellation. The control available to perform this maneuver is the application of a low thrust to the satellite, and the objective is to perform this maneuver with minimum fuel consumption.