Abstract: This paper deduces the orbit maneuver equations for relative motion control of satellite formations based on the relative orbit elements. It proposes orbit maneuver control methods for relative orbital motion control of satellite formations, including the maneuver control both in and out of the orbit plane, based on orbit parameters of relative motion controlled by pulses in different directions. The configuration initialization of satellite formations is carried out based on orbit maneuver control of relative elements. This orbit initialization can be considered as a special kind of orbit maneuver control. This procedure in easily realized for initialization of satellite formations .