Characteristics of Dynamic Connection and Path Spatial-temporal Evolution in Cluster Flight Spacecraft Network

Abstract

In recent years, spacecraft cluster flight has attracted more and more attention in the field of distributed spacecraft systems. The high-speed flight of the cluster flight spacecraft modules increases the uncertainty of network topology. In order to optimize the orbital design of the cluster flight spacecraft and improve the performance of cluster flight spacecraft network (CFSN), based on the dynamic connection of nodes, this paper studies the characteristics of dynamic connection and path spatial-temporal evolution by the probabilistic connectivity matrix in CFSN. Firstly, based on twin-satellites mode, we establish the mobility model of nodes. And then by adopting empirical statistical method and curve fitting method, the solution of the nodal distance density function in the CFSN is obtained and the threshold range of nodal connection distance are derived under the constraints of CFSN. Finally, using the orbital data generated by STK (Satellite Tool Kit), through the definition of sequential path and a new matrix multiplication, the probabilistic connectivity matrix of sequential path of multiple hops between nodes is obtained. And the characteristics of dynamic connection and path spatial-temporal evolution in a orbital hyper-period is studied. These results can provide theoretical reference for the design and optimization of CFSN.