Constructing a constellation of the low-orbit spacecraft
Authors: Sobolev I.A.
Published in issue: #2(146)/2024
DOI: 10.18698/2308-6033-2024-2-2337
Category: Aviation and Rocket-Space Engineering | Chapter: Design, construction and production of aircraft
The paper considers Earth coverage by swaths of the optical equipment installed onboard the Earth remote sensing spacecraft positioned in the ultra-low orbits at the altitude range of 200–300 kilometers. Possible orbital parameters were analyzed, and characteristics of the orbits were selected in accordance with the requirements to the coverage ratio and the spacecraft elevation angle above the horizon in vicinity to the swath boundary. Relationship was analyzed between the Earth’s surface coverage characteristics, realized orbital parameters and main characteristics of the spacecraft optoelectronic equipment. Based on the results obtained, options for constructing constellations of the ultra-low-orbit Earth remote sensing spacecraft were presented. In addition, based on results of assessing the weight and size characteristics of the onboard optoelectronic equipment, boundary of the required image spatial resolution is shown, as it determines feasibility of creating a constellation of the Earth remote sensing spacecraft in the ultra-low orbits.
EDN VSZKZS
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