The problem of satellite constellation design for Earth coverage using elliptic orbit is considered. Whereas various researchers in this field have mainly considered optimization of the orbital structures of constellations, this paper deals with a previously insufficiently studied problem of optimizing the orbital geometry by coverage characteristics, that is, selecting the form of an elliptic orbit (semimajor axis and eccentricity) to provide the best performance in terms of coverage. From this point of view the class of the so-called locally geostationary orbits is suggested and substantiated. It is shown that optimization in the class of locally geostationary orbits, while the problem of Earth coverage on elliptic orbits is considered, leads to maximum duration of the satellite visibility zones. It is shown that this class of orbits includes the geostationary orbit, the only circular orbit in the class, and known Molniya-type elliptic orbit, as well as an infinite domain of elliptic orbits corresponding to the maximum visibility zone duration among all possible elliptic orbits. The general mathematical relations and optimal solution peculiarities for locally geostationary orbits design are presented.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Locally Geostationary Orbits: Optimal Geometry of Elliptic Orbit for Earth Coverage


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2019-07-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






    Possible Alternative to Geostationary Earth Orbit

    Christian Circi | Online Contents | 2015


    Possible Alternative to Geostationary Earth Orbit

    Circi, Christian / Ortore, Emiliano / Ulivieri, Carlo et al. | AIAA | 2015


    Can Objects in Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO) Affect the Debris Population at Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?

    Deshpande, S. P. / Green, S. F. / University of Kent at Canterbury; Unit for Space Sciences | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1992