Research on GEO Satellite Station Keeping Method Using Electric Propulsion

Problem of station keeping of GEO satellite using electric propulsion is analyzed, and a station keeping method based on daily prediction was proposed. On the basic of GEO satellite drift characters, feasibility of daily station keeping using low thrust was discussed. Furthermore, a method of predicting daily orbit error, thruster working time and phase was proposed specific to four thrusters configuration. Then it optimizes gimbaled angles subject to performance of station keeping at a geostationary position. The influence on control effects and fuel consumption with thrust changing is summarized. The method is evaluated by simulating at 100°E, which indicates that it can be used for GEO satellite station keeping.