Multi-mode synchronized control for formation flying interferometer

This paper describes the design of an reaction control system based formation flying control for the Starlight space interferometer mission, consisting of two spacecrafts. Both slew and tracking control are seamlessly integrated within the same control architecture, allowing for position and velocity mode of operation, while ensuring smooth transition between slewing and tracking. To minimize the duration of thruster induced disturbances during interferometric observations, thruster activities on each spacecraft are synchronized and limited to the first second of each 30 second time window.