Predictive control for satellite formation keeping

Based on a Hill equation and a nonlinear equation describing the desired and real dynamics of relative motion separately, a predictive controller is brought forward, which makes the real state track the desired ones to keep satellite formation. The stability and robustness of the controller are analyzed. Finally, comparing the simulation results of the proposed controller with that of the traditional, proportional-differential controller shows that the former one is capable of keeping the satellite formation more favorably, considering the disturbances such as the J2 perturbations.