GNC Analysis and Robotic Systems Configuration of Collision-free Earth Observation Satellites (CfEOS) Constellations
This addresses collision avoidance for satellite operators in geospatial applications, but appears incremental as it builds on existing constellation and robotic configuration approaches.
The paper tackles the risk of collisions in low Earth orbit by proposing a robotic configuration for satellite constellations, focusing on guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) analysis and orbit propagation to enable collision-free Earth observation.
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.