Spacecraft formation and orbit control using differential attitude-dependent solar radiation pressure

This paper introduces a linear model for spacecraft formation dynamics subject to attitude-dependent solar radiation pressure (SRP) disturbance, with the SRP model accounting for both absorption and specular/diffuse reflection. Spacecraft attitude is represented in modified Rodriguez parameters (MRPs), which also parameterize the orientation of individual facets for a spacecraft with fixed geometry. Compared to earlier work, this model incorporates analytic approximation of the SRP-perturbed chief orbit behavior in a manner enabling its use in applications with infrequent guidance updates. Control examples are shown for single-plate representations of hypothetical spacecraft with generally realistic optical parameters. The results demonstrate the validity of the model and the feasibility of SRP-based formation and rendezvous control in orbits around small bodies and in high orbits around the Earth such as the GEO belt.