Mission Design and Flight Dynamics Operations for the Starling Swarm Technology Demonstration

Abstract

The NASA Starling mission, launched in July 2023, represents a significant advancement in demonstrating the capabilities of small satellite swarms to operate autonomously in low Earth orbit (LEO). Starling, which consists of four 6U CubeSats, has validated critical technologies necessary for future multi-satellite missions, including autonomous formation flying and optical-based navigation. The mission successfully maintained precise formations using GPS-based orbit determination and the Starling Flight Dynamics System (FDS) to manage maneuvers and ensure operational success. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the Starling’s flight dynamics, covering formation requirements, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and operational tools.