Abstract: The sunsynchronous frozen orbit has the same light properties and orbital altitude as it passes under the same geographic location, which is helpful for load observation and calibration. For a constellation composed of the sunsynchronous frozen orbit, the inclination, height, eccentricity vector and relative argument should be maintained at the same time. An orbit inplane maintenance strategy based on trace monopulse with minimum fuel consumption is proposed. The stability and fuel consumption optimality of the strategy are proved, and a simple algorithm for local time maintenance of sunsynchronous orbit is given. Simulation results show that the constellation members can capture and track the target orbit after using this strategy. The inplane maintenance strategy can also be used for formation control of LEO satellites with minimum fuel consumption.

Key words: orbit maintenance, trace monopulse, satellite constellation, formation flying, frozen orbit, sun synchronous orbit