AUTONOMOUS COLLOCATION METHOD AT NEAR-STATIONARY ORBIT Russian patent published in 2019 - IPC B64G1/24 B64G1/10 

FIELD: astronautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to control of movement of a group of (two) spacecraft (SC) to keep them in the same narrow (longitude) area in the vicinity of the standing point. One of the spacecraft operates in autonomous (or self-) collocation (SCSC) mode. Working position of SCSC is selected next (in longitude) with working position of adjacent spacecraft. Inclination, eccentricity and av. Greenwich longitude of the SCSC orbit is maintained in the specified ranges, minimizing the discrepancy between the line of nodes and the line of apses during the whole period of active existence of the hull. Evolution of parameters of the orbit of the adjacent spacecraft does not affect the collocation process.

EFFECT: reduction of the width of the field of retention of longitude, as well as creation of favorable conditions (with their possible reflection in international regulations) for longitude collocation of geosynchronous and geostationary spacecraft on near- and geostationary orbits.

1 cl, 3 dwg