In order to detect and track missiles in the boost, midcourse, and terminal phases, as well as satellites in space, it is imperative to carry out a global continuous surveillance above and below the horizon with space-based sensors. For economic reasons, we require that the surveillance be maintained by an optimum number of sensor-carrying satellites. A number of papers have been published to optimize the satellite numbers in various constellations for detection below the horizon (BTH), but few have dealt with the detection above the horizon (ATH). In this paper we attempt to determine the satellite constellation for the latter case. The results are presented in the form of nomographs which can be used either for planning a constellation or for assessing the characteristics of adversary sensors detected in space. For the former use, the optimum number of satellites required for a constellation can be read directly from the nomographs by specifying the satellite altitude, and the field of view angle and sensor range. For the latter use, the sensor characteristics, can be determined from the nomographs by specifying the observed number of satellites at a particular altitude.


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    Title :

    Satellite constellation for continuous global surveillance by above-the-horizon sensors


    Additional title:

    Satelliten Konstellationen fuer eine kontinuierliche globale Ueberwachung mit Sensoren mit Ueberhorizontreichweiten


    Contributors:
    Young, P.S. (author) / Young, J.K. (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1985


    Size :

    4 Seiten, 9 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 4 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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