Attitude Control Analysis for Time-Constrained Electric Orbit-Raising

Abstract

In this report, we consider part of the orbit-raising problem with all-electric satellites. Given an orbit-raising trajectory and its associated thrust profile, we analyze the orientation of the satellite to maximize the incident power and minimize the thrust necessary in the body directions to match the thrust profile. We also consider different starting orbits and identify satellite orientation profiles that will achieve these goals for satellites being deployed in Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).