Spacecraft formation flying allows multiple spacecraft to work together in a coordinated manner, enabling them to perform scientific observations that would not be possible with a single spacecraft.

Random formation is not a type of spacecraft formation flying. In-line formation, cluster formation, and phased formation are all recognized types of spacecraft formation flying.

Maintaining spacecraft formation flying requires addressing all of these challenges: overcoming the effects of orbital perturbations, dealing with communication delays between spacecraft, and managing the relative positions of spacecraft.

Solar sails are not used for controlling spacecraft formation flying. Thrusters, reaction wheels, and magnetic torquers are all commonly used methods for controlling spacecraft formation flying.

Spacecraft formation flying offers all of these advantages for Earth observation missions: increased spatial resolution, improved temporal resolution, and enhanced spectral resolution.

NASA was the first space agency to successfully demonstrate spacecraft formation flying with the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission in 2002.

The ESA Cluster mission, launched in 2000, used spacecraft formation flying to study the Earth's magnetic field.

The Solar Orbiter mission, launched in 2020, is designed to study the Sun using spacecraft formation flying.

The JAXA Hayabusa mission, launched in 2003, used spacecraft formation flying to study the asteroid Itokawa.

The Cassini-Huygens mission, launched in 1997, used spacecraft formation flying to study the outer planets of our solar system, including Saturn and Titan.

The CNSA Chang'e 3 mission, launched in 2013, used spacecraft formation flying to study the Moon.

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, is designed to study the formation and evolution of galaxies using spacecraft formation flying.

The NASA InSight mission, launched in 2018, is designed to study the interior of Mars using spacecraft formation flying.

The MMS mission, launched in 2015, is designed to study the effects of space weather on Earth using spacecraft formation flying.

The ESA Herschel mission, launched in 2009, is designed to study the formation of stars and planets using spacecraft formation flying.