GNC Analysis and Robotic Systems Configuration of Collision-free Earth Observation Satellites (CfEOS) Constellations

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), orbit propagation, and robotic system configuration for collision-free Earth observation satellite constellations, enhancing global coverage and safety.

Contribution

It introduces a novel GNC analysis and robotic configuration framework specifically designed for collision-free Earth observation satellite constellations.

Findings

Effective GNC strategies for collision avoidance

Optimized orbital plane configurations for global coverage

Robust robotic systems for satellite coordination

Abstract

The high number of objects in the LEO is a risk that collisions between sub-orbital or escape velocity objects with an orbiting object of satellites occur when two satellites collide while orbiting the earth. One of the approaches to avoid collisions is a robotic configuration of satellite constellations. Satellite constellations should not be confused with satellite clusters, which are groups of satellites moving in close proximity to each other in nearly identical orbits; nor with satellite series or satellite programs, which are generations of satellites launched successively; nor with satellite fleets, which are groups of satellites from the same manufacturer or operator that operate an independent system. CfEOS constellations designed for geospatial applications and Earth observation. Unlike a single satellite, a constellation can provide permanent global or near-global coverage anywhere on Earth. CfEOS constellations are configured in sets of complementary orbital planes and connect to ground stations located around the globe. This paper describes the GNC analysis, the orbit propagation and robotic systems configuration for Collision-free Earth observation satellites (CfEOS) constellations.