Title: Relative mission analysis for PROBA-3: safe orbits and CAM

Authors: Thomas Vincent Peters; Diego Escorial

Addresses: GMV, C Isaac Newton 11, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain ' GMV, C Isaac Newton 11, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain

Abstract: This paper reports the phase B mission analysis work performed for the safe orbit and the collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAM) of the PROBA-3 formation flying mission, including the recovery to nominal conditions. PROBA-3 will perform formation flying in a highly elliptical orbit, and perform solar coronagraphy and formation manoeuvring demonstrations in a six-hour arc around apogee. Mission analysis in this paper addresses the safe orbit and the CAM and focuses on safety and ΔV requirements. Important constraints on the mission analysis are the absence of an omnidirectional sensor, and the requirement that the spacecraft cannot turn more than 30° away from the Sun due to thermal and power constraints. In addition, no on-board action can be taken after safe orbit entry or after a CAM, which means that the recovery needs to be performed under ground control.

Keywords: PROBA-3; spacecraft formation flying; mission analysis; safe orbit; collision avoidance manoeuvres; CAM; elliptical orbits; safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2014.060599

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2014 Vol.2 No.2, pp.135 - 156

Received: 24 Jun 2013
Accepted: 18 Oct 2013
Published online: 13 May 2014 *

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