Validation of Astrodynamic Formation Flying Models against SPACE-SI Experiments with Prisma Satellites

Validation of Astrodynamic Formation Flying Models against SPACE-SI Experiments with Prisma Satellites

In this paper several astrodynamical formation flying models are assessed against the experimental results derived from the SPACE-SI formation flying experiments performed in September 2011 with the OHB Sweden developed Prisma satellites Mango and Tango. In these formation flying experiments critical manoeuvres for three types of missions were investigated with respect to in-orbit performances. The experiments included parallel flying with in track displacement demonstrating high-resolution optical dual satellite imaging and radar interferometric constellation, circumvolution as well as encircling of the target demonstrating debris observation and parallel flying with the radial displacement demonstrating fractionated spacecraft and accurate pointing of the formation. The astrodynamic data of the experiment are used to verify several formation flying models including a nonlinear model, a linear Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire model, STK models with four propagators (Earth mass point, J2, default HPOP and HPOP with all disturbances) and the hereby originally proposed extension to the Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire model, a linear model for orbits with small eccentricities.