Network Flow Formulation for Cooperative Peer-to-Peer Refueling Strategies

The problem of a general peer-to-peer refueling strategy for satellites in a circular constellation is addressed. The proposed cooperative egalitarian peer-to-peer strategy allows the satellites participating in a refueling transaction to engage in a cooperative rendezvous, that is, both satellites engaging in a fuel exchange may be active. Furthermore, the active satellites are allowed to interchange their orbital positions during their respective return trips. A mathematical framework to solve this general refueling problem for a large number of satellites is proposed using ideas from network flow theory. The methodology determines the optimal set of maneuvers that achieve fuel-sufficiency for all satellites, while expending the minimum possible fuel during the ensuing orbital transfers. With the help of numerical examples it is shown that the proposed cooperative egalitarian peer-to-peer strategy is the best amongst all known peer-to-peer refueling alternatives to date.

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