Abstract: An optimal orbit maneuver method based on continuous low thrust was presented to solve relative motion control. With C-W equation, analytic resolution of relative motion was derived. The relative velocity and relative position constrains for stable formation without control were discussed. The constrains were treated as final conditions, and the relative position and relative velocity of depart were treated as initial conditions. These conditions together with relative equation constructed an optimal orbit maneuver problem. The Gauss pseudospectral method was applied to translate the optimal problem into nonlinear programming which was solved by sequential quadratic programming. The numerical simulation indicates that the Gauss pseudospectral method can effectively converge to optimal solution.

Key words: Gauss pseudospectral method, Low thrust, Relative motion, Orbital control, Nonlinear programming, Formation flying, Spacecraft