Semiautonomous stationkeeping of geosynchronous satellites

A feasibility study on semiautonomous Stationkeeping of geosynchronous satellites has been performed. The concept is to make the Stationkeeping maneuvers autonomously for a period of six months based on predetermined longitude variation and maneuver sequences. Because this strategy does not require a sophisticated, fully autonomous navigation package, the impact on the cost and reliability of the mission is minimized. Results of this analysis indicate that the feasibility of this concept depends on longitude control tolerance and Stationkeeping maneuver uncertainty. This report also discusses the potential of using the solar array current variations during Earth eclipses for removing the longitude prediction error.