Closed-form Optimal Solutions for Propulsive-Differential Drag Control of Spacecraft Swarms
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: This paper presents a novel optimal control approach for Distributed Space Systems (DSS) to minimize the total delta-v cost for large, time-constrained reconfigurations. Reconfiguration cost is decreased by blending differential drag and propulsive control within the same control window. By parameterizing the problem with Relative Orbital Elements (ROE) and leveraging reachable set theory, a maneuver planning methodology is derived to produce provably-optimal, full roto-translational control solutions in closed-form, such that they can be implemented on hardware-limited spacecraft.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Hunter, Matthew, D'Amico, Simone
Institution: Stanford University
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7223681503