GEO Spiral Cruising Orbit Design Using Relative Orbit Elements

A new method of round-trip spiral cruising orbit design for GEO object surveillance is proposed using relative orbit elements (ROEs). The relationship between the in-plane configuration of spiral cruising orbits and ROEs is described. After that, in-plane impulse control strategies are shown for round-trip spiral cruising orbits, based on the relative motion control laws. Along-track maneuvers are performed on both sides of the cruise region in the strategies. Finally, the impulse control strategies are simulated, and the required velocity increment and performance of the cruising orbit are analyzed. The results indicate that the proposed configuration and control strategies are effective for round-trip spiral cruising orbit design. The required velocity impulse increases with cruising velocity while being free from the cruising period. Only a few velocity increments are needed for closely observing objects in the cruise region multiple times.