Analysis and Design of Satellite Constellation Spare Strategy Using Markov Chain

TL;DR

This paper develops a Markov chain-based analysis and optimization framework for satellite constellation spare strategies, comparing direct and indirect resupply methods to improve spare management efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multi-echelon inventory control model with Markov chain analysis for satellite spare strategy optimization, including a genetic algorithm solution.

Findings

Optimal spare management policies identified for satellite constellations.

Comparison of direct and indirect resupply strategies.

Effective optimization of spare strategies using genetic algorithms.

Abstract

This paper introduces the analysis and design method of an optimal spare management policy using Markov chain for a large-scale satellite constellation. We propose an analysis methodology of spare strategy using a multi-echelon $(r,q)$ inventory control model with Markov chain, and review two different spare strategies: direct resupply, which inserts spares directly into the constellation orbit using launch vehicles; and indirect resupply, which places spares into parking orbits before transferring them to the constellation orbit. Furthermore, we propose an optimization formulation utilizing the results of the proposed analysis method, and an optimal solution is found using a genetic algorithm.