Relative Control of a Virtual Telescope Using Global Positioning System and Optical Metrology.

The article presents a study which examines the utilization of global positioning system (GPS) and optical metrology for the relative control of a virtual telescope. The relative control algorithm used in the study has an autonomous formation flying (FF) composed of two space vehicles in a high elliptical orbit around Earth. Researchers found that a simple control design with an accurate navigation system can be utilized to make a stringent formation acquisition.