In-Orbit Target-Based Autonomy for Enhanced Stability of the Small Satellite Constellations in Cislunar Space
摘要
The dynamic and evolving nature of the Cislunar space environment presents significant challenges to the stability, coordination, and long-term sustainability of small satellite constellations. As these constellations are expected to play a pivotal role in future scientific, exploration, and commercial missions, ensuring their orbital stability is critical for safe and efficient operations. This paper addresses the pressing need for autonomous stability control in Cislunar constellations by introducing a novel technique called target-based autonomy. The proposed framework enables satellites to make onboard decisions and adjust their formation through target-driven navigation and intelligent maneuver planning, without relying on continuous ground intervention. The method is designed to operate effectively in both Earth-centered and Moon-centered orbits, offering flexibility across different mission architectures. A series of simulations under varying dynamic conditions demonstrates the method’s ability to maintain relative orbital geometry, minimize control effort, and respond adaptively to perturbations. Compared to conventional methods, the technique shows improvements in constellation stability and resilience. These findings underscore the potential of autonomy-driven solutions to enhance the operational safety and robustness of small satellite missions in the complex Cislunar domain.