Estimation of the possibility of matching the relative motion of nanosatellites under active aerodynamic control

The article discusses the prospects of utilization of aerodynamic control to maintain the formation of nanosatellites of the CubeSat class. The purpose of this work is to estimate the limits of the application of active aerodynamic control to stabilize the relative motion of two CubeSat 3U satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit with a height of 570 km. A review of theoretical information about aerodynamic forces acting on artificial Earth satellites is carried out, within the framework of which models of the Earth's upper atmosphere are considered. Aspects of creating a differential drag force for nanosatellites as an active control actuating mechanism are considered. To study the orbital motion of satellites under the action of aerodynamic control using the General Mission Analysis Tool program, a group flight of two spacecraft was simulated taking into account the factors causing orbital disturbances. Based on the results of experiments, the dynamics of the inter-satellite distance was studied, and a conclusion was made about the possibility of using an aerodynamic differential force to achieve a stable relative motion.