J₂ perturbation effect on relative orbital configuration of satellites in formation flying

This paper investigates the J₂ perturbation effect on the relative orbital configuration of satellites in formation flying using the relative orbital element method and a high accuracy numerical algorithm. The results showed that the J₂ perturbation can induce two variations of the relative orbital configuration, rotation and drift, depending on the orbits of the satellites in formation. When the leading and following satellites have different right ascensions, the J₂ perturbation has little effect on the relative orbits. When their eccentricities are different, the J₂ perturbation makes the relative configurations rotate. For different inclinations, perigees and times to cross the ascending node, the J₂ perturbation induces configuration drift.