Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Student, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Satellite Systems Research Institute, Iranian Space Research Center, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This article investigates an operational orbit's design and sensitivity analysis for Earth observation (EO) missions in non-sun-synchronous orbits. Sun-synchronous orbits are the primary choice for deploying EO satellites, but in the absence of access to such orbits, alternative options can be considered, including multi-sun-synchronous orbits (MSSO) capable of repeating ground track (RGT).
In this research, sets of such orbits are designed, taking into account the defined mission and considering the available altitude and inclination of the orbit. To achieve this, a constrained search problem is formulated, considering the constraints related to the characteristics of multi-sun-synchronicity and repeating ground tracks to search for orbit characteristics.
Furthermore, to identify the allowable range of injection errors, a sensitivity analysis of the designed orbit's characteristics has been conducted to assess their sensitivity to uncertainties in injection accuracy during a case study investigation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

[1]    C. Ulivieri and L. Anselmo, "Multi-sun-synchronous (MSS) orbits for earth observation," Astrodynamics 1991, pp. 123-133, 1992.
[2]    C. D. Noyes, "Characterization of the Effects of a Sun-Synchronous Orbit Slot Architecture on the Earth's Orbital Debris Environment," Master Thesis, The Faculty of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 2013.
[3]    G. R. Hintz, Orbital mechanics and astrodynamics: Springer, 2015.
[4]    Y. Zhang, Y. Xu, and H. Zhou, Theory and Design Methods of Special Space Orbits: Springer, 2017.
[5]    E. Watson, "Sun-synchronous orbit slot architecture analysis and development," M.Sc. Thesis, The Faculty of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 2012.
[6]    M. Capderou, Satellites: Orbits and missions: Springer Science & Business Media, 2006.
[7]    C.-Y. Wang, "Celestial mechanics and astrodynamics: theory and practice, by P. Gurfil and PK Seidelmann: Scope: textbook. Level: postgraduate, researcher, scientist," ed: Taylor & Francis, 2017.
[8]    M. Capderou, Handbook of satellite orbits: From kepler to GPS: Springer Science & Business, 2014.
[9]    K. Bilimoria and R. Krieger, "Slot architecture for separating satellites in sun-synchronous orbits," in AIAA SPACE 2011 Conference & Exposition, 2011, p. 7184.
[10]  R. Sandau, H.-P. Roeser, and A. Valenzuela, "Small satellite missions for earth observation," New Developments and Trends, 2010.
[11]  D. Mortari, M. P. Wilkins, and C. Bruccoleri, "On sun-synchronous orbits and associated constellations," in Paper of the 6-th Dynamics and Control of Systems and Structures in Space Conference, Riomaggiore, Italy, 2004, p. 43.
[12]  E. Ortore, C. Circi, C. Ulivieri, and M. Cinelli, "Multi-sunsynchronous orbits in the solar system," Earth, Moon, and Planets, vol. 111, no. 3, pp. 157-172, 2014.
[13]  C. Circi, E. Ortore, F. Bunkheila, and C. Ulivieri, "Elliptical multi-sun-synchronous orbits for Mars exploration," Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, vol. 114, no. 3, pp. 215-227, 2012.
[14]  X. Fu, M. Wu, and Y. Tang, "Design and maintenance of low-Earth repeat-ground-track successive-coverage orbits," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 686-691, 2012.
[15]  S. W. Paek and S. Kim, "Space-based Earth remote sensing: Part 1. Satellite orbit theory," Satellite Oceanography and Meteorology, vol. 3, Issue 2, pp.1-11, 2018.
[16]  X. Luo, M. Wang, G. Dai, and X. Chen, "A novel technique to compute the revisit time of satellites and its application in remote sensing satellite optimization design," International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, vol. 2017, no. 6. pp. 1-6, 2017.