  This work introduces a linearized analytical model for the study of the
dynamic of satellites in near circular orbits under the effects of the
atmospheric drag. This includes the evaluation of the station keeping required
for each satellite subjected to a control box strategy, and also the study of
the dynamic of tandem formations between two or more satellites that are
located on the same nominal space-track. The model takes into account the
effect of the orbit perturbation provoked by the atmospheric drag, while the
effects of the Earth gravitation potential are included in the definition of
the nominal orbits of the satellites. This allows to easily define the
maneuvering strategies for the satellites involved in the tandem formation and
study their absolute and relative dynamic. In particular, this work focuses on
the study of a master-slave scenario and the in plane maneuvers that these
satellites require, proposing two different control strategies for the
formation.

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics;Space Physics