Abstract: In terms of the engineering constraints, orbital maneuvering along the track is relatively easy to achieve. The relations among the quantity of control, the time of control and the phase are studied，that are based on the constrains of Hill equations and the alongtrack control for the coplanar flying-around formation. The analytical results demonstrate that the minimum fuel consumption can be realized when the phase angle needing to change is less than 90°. Conversely, the minimum quantity of control can be approached when the phase angle needing to change is larger than 90°. And further, it is found that the phase remains unchanged when the control is carried out at the up and down points of the relative motion ellipse.

Key words: Hill equations, track maneuvering, phase control