FIELD: cosmonautics; equipment for construction and control of form and motion of large-sized orbital structures; sounding of near-earth medium and space robotics. SUBSTANCE: least three space vehicles are connected in succession by closed contour of flexible coupling, then flexible coupling is set in motion along contour and for shifting the space vehicle to preset positions (forming triangular configuration as a rule), curvature of sections of flexible coupling contour is changed between pairs of space vehicles. When space vehicles are in preset positions, speed of flexible coupling contour is maintained in all sections at the same level and constant. Use may be also made of mechanical connection of space vehicles by additional fixed elements (ropes, screen or film cloths). Special devices (sensors, receivers-radiators, solar batteries, etc. may be arranged on these elements. One space vehicle in cluster may be used as movable robot-teleoperator. Overall dimensions of such clusters range from 1 to 10 km. EFFECT: enhanced reliability. 2 cl, 8 dwg
