Fixed‐period strategy for maintaining the absolute configuration of large‐scale LEO constellations

• Published in: Advances in space research
• Main Authors: Zuo, Xiaoyu, Li, Ke, Chen, Lin, He, Xingji, Xu, Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Absolute configuration maintenance; Cluster management; Differential correction; Fixed-period control; Large-scale constellation; Large-scale constellation; Differential correction; Absolute configuration maintenance; Cluster management; Fixed-period control
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2025.07.036

Constellation configurations are inevitably subject to drift due to initial orbit insertion errors and long-term perturbations, necessitating maintenance. Traditional absolute configuration maintenance strategies for large-scale constellations rely heavily on high-precision numerical integrations for orbit prediction and monitoring, imposing significant computational demands on hardware. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a fixed‐period absolute configuration maintenance method that reduces computational load by scheduling orbit prediction and maneuver planning at predetermined intervals. Firstly, a control strategy based on differential correction is constructed. For the design of initial values, an approximate analytical model is derived to describe the drift of mean orbital elements under various perturbations. This model is used to optimize and search for low-energy, long-period maintenance strategies that satisfy boundary constraints. Next, a neural network is employed to establish a rapid mapping relationship from mission parameters to control strategies. Building on this foundation, a robust, closed‐loop long‐term configuration maintenance method is developed that adapts to disturbances and ensures control closure. Furthermore, to avoid simultaneous maneuvers by a large number of satellites, a cluster management strategy is introduced. By varying the duration of the first control period, the control times for satellites with the similar parameters are staggered. Lastly, a process for the absolute configuration maintenance of large-scale constellations in low Earth orbit is introduced. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified through simulations.