Optimal Design of Satellite Constellation Korean Peninsula Regions

Abstract

Designing satellite constellations providing partial coverage of certain regions becomes more important as small low-altitude satellites receives an increasing attention due to its cost-effectiveness analysis. Generally, Walker's method is a standard constellation method for global coverage but not effective for partial coverage. The purpose of this study is to design optimal constellation of satellites for effective observation in Korean peninsula regions. In this study, a new constellation design method is presented for partial coverage, using direct control of satellites' orbital elements. And also, a ground repeating circular orbit is considered for each satellite's orbit with the Earth oblateness effect. As the results, at least four satellites are required to observe the Korean peninsula regions effectively when minimum elevation angle is assumed as 12 degrees. The results from new method are better than those from the best Walker method. The proposed algorithm will be useful to design satellite constellation missions of Korea in future.

Keywords

• satellite constellation
• partial coverage
• optimization