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Models and strategies for J2-perturbed orbital pursuit–evasion games - EurekAlert

Orbital pursuit–evasion games (OPEGs) are typical cases of non-cooperative multiagent games. In the foreseeable future, as space becomes increasingly crowded, OPEGs between spacecraft are inevitable and may become the focal point for governments and interest groups. Most of the research has focused on short-term OPEGs (STOPEGs), discussing strategies for less than 10 orbital periods, especially for those under Clohessy–Wiltshire (CW) or Hill–Clohessy–Wiltshire (HCW) dynamics. In contrast, not much research has focused on long-term OPEGs (LTOPEGs) that consider the influence of perturbations. Traditional close-range OPEGs are usually intense and highly dynamic. A less maneuverable evader with a lower thrust–weight ratios (TWRs) may find it challenging to participate in traditional OPEGs and might want to prolong the game process (or equally, the initial distance) to weaken the effect of TWR and strengthen the effect of ΔV, or not participate in close-range OPEG at all. This may lead to LTOPEGs that last for much longer (days or more), where perturbations cannot be ignored. In a research article recently published in Space: Science & Technology, scholars from Northwestern Polytechnical University discuss the modeling and solving of orbital pursuit–evasion games under J2 perturbation.

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