Mission analysis for PROBA-3 nominal operations

• We examine the nominal orbit routine and the formation deployment for the PROBA-3 formation flying mission.
• The nominal orbit routine consists of a free-flying perigee pass and a forced motion formation flying arc around apogee.
• Formation deployment is performed by means of impulsive maneuvers provided by the ground segment.
• We provide the ΔV׳s and safety characteristics of all maneuvers and trajectories during these phases.
• We demonstrate that the two phases are safe and that the ΔV required is acceptable.

This paper reports the phase B mission analysis work performed for the nominal operations of the PROBA-3 formation flying mission. PROBA-3 will perform formation flying in a highly elliptical orbit, and perform Solar coronagraphy and formation maneuvering demonstrations in a 6 h region around apogee. This paper addresses the nominal orbit and the initial deployment of the formation and focuses on feasibility and ΔV requirements, including trade-offs between alternatives. Challenging constraints are the absence of an omnidirectional sensor, and the requirement that the spacecraft cannot turn more than 30° away from the Sun due to thermal and power constraints.