Relative motion around displaced solar orbit

This paper investigates the formation flying around a displaced orbit. The equation for relative motion is derived. Since the displacement between two different solar sails is very small compared with the displacement from the sails to the sun, the equation of motion is linearized around the nominal displaced solar orbit to obtain a linear equation. Based on the linear equation, three formation control strategies are discussed, including the passive control strategy. This strategy has the advantages of simplicity and large stable region. Simulations based on the nonlinear equation are given. The results show that strategies can realize the formation around the displaced solar orbit.