US 12,269,618 B2
Model predictive control for spacecraft formation
Tyson Smith, Logan, UT (US); John Akagi, Logan, UT (US); and Greg Droge, Nibley, UT (US)
Assigned to Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, UT (US)
Filed by Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, UT (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/891,968.
Application 17/891,968 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/689,038, filed on Mar. 8, 2022, granted, now 12,129,051.
Prior Publication US 2023/0286674 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64G 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/242 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
calculating, by use of a processor, a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation, wherein the virtual point is offset from each spacecraft in the formation;
iteratively calculating an outer polytope boundary, an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft, wherein the outer polytope boundary and the inner polytope boundary each are defined by points crossing at evenly dispersed lines of latitude and longitude and the inner polytope boundary is within the outer polytope boundary; and
in response to determining the outer polytope boundary will be breached, maneuvering the given spacecraft until to within the inner polytope boundary to using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.