The problem of assuring the operability of a satellite constellation by internal (peer-to-peer/P2P) refueling is addressed. Specifically, a formulation is presented that seeks to match the fuel-sufficient satellites in the constellation with the fuel-deficient ones, so that the former can refuel the latter, while at the same time minimize the total fuel consumption incurred during the ensuing orbital rendezvous. Asymmetric auctions are introduced as a means for solving this problem, owing to their advantages for decentralized implementation. Examples are provided to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.