System and Method for Controlling Satellites in Orbit

A method of controlling a plurality of satellites in orbit, comprising:

• determining, with at least one processor, a control plan based on a target separation in along-track and cross-track directions for a plurality of satellites comprising at least a first satellite and a second satellite, the control plan comprising at least one drag modulation parameter for each satellite;
• controlling the first satellite to lower an orbital altitude of the first satellite based on the at least one drag modulation parameter, such that a mean motion and nodal precession rate of the first satellite increases;
• and
• based on the control plan and after lowering the orbital altitude of the first satellite, controlling the second satellite to lower an orbital altitude of the second satellite based on the at least one drag modulation parameter to achieve the target separation.

A computer program product for controlling a plurality of satellites in orbit, comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:

• determine a control plan based on a target separation in along-track and cross-track directions for a plurality of satellites comprising at least a first satellite and a second satellite, the control plan comprising at least one drag modulation parameter for each satellite;
• control the first satellite to lower an orbital altitude of the first satellite based on the at least one drag modulation parameter, such that a mean motion and nodal precession rate of the first satellite increases;
• and
• based on the control plan and after lowering the orbital altitude of the first satellite, control the second satellite to lower an orbital altitude of the second satellite based on the at least one drag modulation parameter to achieve the target separation.