Formation control approach based on relative eccentricity/inclination vector

Based on Gauss perturbation equation, two kinds of formation impulse control methods with high efficiency and small fuel consumption are put forward respectively. For the formation error out of an orbit plane, the same cross-track control impulse is designed for both methods. For the formation error within a plane, the first method designs one radial control impulse and one joint control impulse composed of radial and in-track efforts. The second method designs two in-track control impulses to correct the errors of the relative semi-major axis, eccentricity as well as an argument of perigee, and two radial control impulses to correct the relative mean anomaly error. Both theory analysis and simulation results show that compared with the traditional five-impulse control method, the two methods have the advantages of high efficiency and small fuel consumption.