A Small Satellite Constellation for a Continuous Coverage of Mid-Low Earth Latitudes

• Published in: The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences
• Main Authors: ORTORE, EMILIANO, ULIVIERI, Carlo
• Other Authors: Ortore, Emiliano, Ulivieri, Carlo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Tundra
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11573/365218; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03256548

Abstract When located on a geostationary orbit, a satellite keeps a steady position with respect to a generic point on the Earth’s surface and this characteristic allows for important advantages. A continuous longitudinal coverage of the Earth’s surface (higher latitudes excluded) is a result of using a three geo-satellite constellation. Nevertheless, there are also several drawbacks related to the geostationary orbit employment. The need to consider alternative satellite constellations has begun to arise from these disadvantages; these constellations, in spite of having very similar characteristics to the geostationary system, are able to overcome the complexity, the costs and the launching site problems connected with a geostationary satellite. For equatorial orbits, the Four-Leaf Clover System represents a profitable alternative compared to the traditional geostationary system. As far as high Earth latitudes are concerned, there are different operational constellations, such as Molniya and Tundra, capable of ensuring the continuous coverage of a region and generally taking orbits with a critical inclination into account (63.43 deg). The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to create a satellite constellation capable of ensuring a continuous coverage of mid-low Earth latitudes. After a general study of the orbits employed to date, followed by a general graphical representation, a constellation of eight small satellites in multi-synchronous orbits makes the achievement of this paper’s aim possible. Several possibilities for application follow, both for telecommunications and remote sensing missions.