According to one embodiment of the invention, a stationkeeping method for
a geostationary satellite includes determining a gravitational force of
the sun on the satellite at a beginning of a stationkeeping operation and
a gravitational force of the moon on the satellite at the beginning of
the stationkeeping operation. An initial inclination vector of the
satellite is determined at the beginning of the stationkeeping operation
that accounts for a first set of one or more perturbations affecting the
orbit of the satellite. A maneuver strategy is determined to correct for
a second set of one or more perturbations affecting the orbit of the
satellite without accounting for the first set of one or more
perturbations affecting the orbit of the satellite. Finally, a maneuver
is performed on the satellite according to the maneuver strategy.