Initialization and resizing of formation flying using global and local optimization methods

A Variational Approach to the Fuel Optimal Control Problem for UAV Formations

“…Primer vector theory is successfully employed in spacecraft trajectory optimization (Jamison & Coverstone, 2010), orbit transfers (Petropoulos & Russell, 2008), and optimal rendezvous problems (Zaitri et al, 2010), however, vehicles are often assumed to be point masses subject to only gravitational acceleration. Among the few studies on primer vector theory applied to vehicle formations, it is worth noting the work of Mailhe & Guzman (2004), where the formation initialization problem is addressed. Applications of primer vector theory to 6 DoF single vehicles have been employed to optimize the descent on Mars (Topcu et al, 2007).…”

Optimal Multi-Impulse Orbit Transfer Using Nonlinear Relative Motion Dynamics

“…Recently, transfer problems within or between satellite formations have interested many researchers [1][2][3][4][5]. Because a satellite formation is usually described in the relative coordinate frame of the reference satellite, its related transfer problems can be solved within the same relative coordinate frame on many occasions.…”

Control of helicopters’ formation using non-iterative Nonlinear Model Predictive approach

“…Different aspects of this problem such as navigation of robot swarms [1], [2], collaborative maneuvers [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], payload transportation [8], initialization and reconfiguration [9], [10], inter-telecommunication and information flow [11], [12] have been studied by researches from diverse scientific fields. In this research, we consider the formation control problem for a group of helicopter agents.…”