Constellation of Two Orbiters around Mars

Abstract

In this paper, we consider constellation of two orbiters around the Mars. We assume two orbiters, whose orbits are required to be orthogonal. After Mars orbit insertion, it will be needed to adjust their orbital planes appropriately for required configuration under perturbation. We discuss how to transfer S/C to the seperated orbits after simultaneous insertion, and how to maintain these orbits during the mission phase. We adopt the frozen orbit for one orbiter to fix the orbit axis, and utilize J2 perturbation on the argument of periapsis or the right ascension of ascending node for keeping the orthogonality between two orbital planes. Maneuver plan is also reported.