The enigma of small satellites for earth observation

Small satellites have captured a continuously increasing share of the market in the fields of science, technology and recently also in the telecommunications and Earth observation areas. User requirements and market opportunities for space based satellite systems for Earth observation products have grown substantially in the past decade. Criteria for the utilization of different classes of satellite systems (small and large) and analogies to developments in other areas, e.g. the telecommunications field are discussed. The end to end character of service and product oriented systems as key criteria for market success in the scientific, applications and commercial areas is underlined. Recent developments in the global change, the Earth observation applications and commercial sectors are reviewed and compared. Opportunities for small satellites in the field are related to technology advancements, cost reduction options, and progress in the state of the art in system design.     

Erdbeobachtende missionen—Anforderungen und konzepte

(Earth Observation Missions—Requirements and Concepts)—Ten years ago, on 23 July 1972. NASA launched the first satellite specifically designed for Earth observation. With Landsat 1 the importance and attractiveness of remote sensing from space increased worldwide.The paper presents in an overview former remote sensing missions with their applications and the system elements required for gathering Earth observation information. Main elements are the sensors (optical, microwave, and other instruments), the platforms (satellites, space stations, aircraft and Earth based stations) and their orbits.It is shown how these elements are interrelated and which constraints must be considered for planning an Earth observation mission. The feasibility, the amount of hard- and software, the costs, and the performance of a system are decisive for the realization of a satellite concept.Examples for different concepts investigated to date at Dornier System are given; included is the first ESA Remote Sensing Satellite ERS-1, which is now under definition at Dornier System, the main contractor of ESA.     

Tracking and data relay satellite system: NASA's new spacecraft data acquisition system

The growth in NASA's ground network complexity and cost triggered a search for an alternative. Through a lease service contract, Western Union will provide to NASA 10 years of space communications services with a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). A constellation of four operating satellites in geostationary orbit and a single ground terminal will provide complete tracking, telemetry and command service for all of NASA's Earth orbital satellites below an altitude of 12,000 km. The system is shared: two satellites will be dedicated to NASA service; a third will provide backup as a shared spare; the fourth satellite will be dedicated to Western Union's Advanced Westar commercial service. Western Union will operate the ground terminal and provide operational satellite control. NASA's Network Control Center will provide the focal point for scheduling user services and controlling the interface between TDRSS and the rest of the NASA communications network, project control centers and data processing facilities. TDRSS single access user spacecraft data systems should be designed for efficient time shared data relay support. Reimbursement policy and rate structure for non-NASA users are currently being developed.     

敏捷成像卫星自主调度技术综述

针对现代卫星载荷能力与机动能力不断提升以及卫星任务需求多样化与复杂化程度持续增加的现状，阐述了敏捷成像卫星调度问题的基本特征，给出了敏捷成像卫星调度问题的一般化描述方法。在此基础上，分别从自主感知、自主决策和自主协同三个方面梳理了国内外敏捷卫星自主调度关键技术的研究进展。最后，面向未来卫星技术发展需求，指出了敏捷成像卫星自主调度技术进一步的研究方向。     

Cost-driven design of small satellite remote sensing systems*

Earth remote sensing (alongside communications) is one of the key application of Earth-orbiting satellites. Civilian satellites in the LANDSAT and SPOT series provide Earth images which have been used for a vast spectrum of applications in agriculture, meteorology, hydrology, urban planning and geology, to name but a few. In the defence sector, satellite remote sensing systems are a critical tool in strategic and tactical planning – for the countries which can afford them. To date, remote sensing satellites have fallen into one of these two categories: military missions driven by the requirement for very high resolution and orbital agility; and multipurpose civil satellites using general purpose sensors to serve a diverse community of end users. For military-style missions, the drive to high resolution sets the requirements for optics, attitude control and downlink data bandwidth. For civil missions, the requirement to satisfy multiple, diverse user applications forces compromises on spectral band and orbit selection. Although there are exceptions, many small satellite remote sensing missions carry on in this tradition, concentrating on ultra high resolution products for multiple user communities. This results in satellites costing on the order of US $100 M, not optimised for any particular application. This paper explores an alternative path to satellite remote sensing, aiming simultaneously to reduce cost and to optimise imaging products for specific applications. By decreasing the cost of the remote sensing satellite system to a critical point, it becomes appropriate to optimise the sensor's spectral and temporal characteristics to fit the requirements of a small, specialised user base. The critical engineering trade-off faced in a cost driven mission is how to reduce mission cost while still delivering a useful product to the selected user. At the Surrey Space Centre, we have pursued an engineering path using two dimensional CCD array sensors, commercial off-the-shelf lenses and gravity-gradient stabilised microsatellites. In spite of the inherent limitations of such systems, recent successes with the Thai Microsatellite Company's Thai-Phutt satellite show that a system costing in the region of US $3 million, can approach the spectral and spatial characteristics of LANDSAT. Surrey's UoSAT-12 minisatellite (to be launched April, 1999) will further develop this cost-driven approach to provide 10 m panchromatic resolution and 30 m multi-spectral resolution. This paper describes the Thai-Phutt and UoSAT-12 imaging systems, explaining the engineering methods and trade-offs. Although Surrey is presently the only centre presently pursuing such implementations, our paper shows that they deserve wider consideration.     

Progress in multilateral Earth observation cooperation: CEOS, IGOS and the ad hoc Group on Earth Observations

The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) coordinates international civil space-borne missions designed to observe and study planet Earth. With over 100 Earth observation satellites expected to be launched during the next 10 years, it is clear that collaborative opportunities have not been fully maximized. In 2003 CEOS has been focusing on articulating a more comprehensive satellite data utilization approach and in following up on its significant involvement in the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The CEOS Chair also serves as Co-Chair of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership, which seeks to reduce observation gaps and unnecessary overlaps and to harmonize and integrate common interests of space-based and in situ systems. IGOS focused in 2003 on development of a number of themes, including Carbon Cycle, Water Cycle and GeoHazards. The IGOS Ocean Theme is now in its implementation phase. NOAA, while chairing CEOS and co-chairing IGOS, has also been actively involved in organizing and hosting a ministerial-level Earth Observation Summit with a follow-on Group on Earth Observations (GEO) charged with developing the framework for a comprehensive global Earth observation system(s). All these activities demonstrate the commitment to developing more coherent and sustained Earth observation strategies for the good of the planet.     

Study on electrodynamic tether system for space debris removal

As a countermeasure for suppressing space debris growth (P. Eighler, A. Bade, Chain Reaction of Debris Generation by Collisions in Space—A Final Threat to Spaceflight? in: 40th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, IAA-89-628, October 1989), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan is investigating a satellite capture, repair and removal system for non-cooperative satellites, part of which involves assessing the viability of electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology as an orbital transfer system. In this paper, some results concerning the time required to remove existing satellites, the behavior of flexible tethers during the debris separation phase, and orbital transfer strategies of EDT systems during space debris removal operations are described. From numerical simulations, it is found that EDT systems can transfer satellites from LEO to orbits with a short lifetime within a realistic timeframe. It is also found that the stability of EDT systems is compromised when debris separation occurs both while a tether current is running and when the ratio of the end mass to that of the service satellite is high. To ensure stability, the end mass should be selected from the target debris group with due regard for the maximum possible mass that can be maneuvered safely. Moreover, it is also found that orbital elements (a, e, i) can be changed independently with an adequate current control strategy.     

提高光学遥感卫星图像几何精度总体设计分析

针对如何提高我国光学遥感卫星图像几何定位精度问题,从影响几何成像质量的关键要素——内外方位元素出发,介绍地面几何处理方法,并基于多颗卫星研制、地面量测试验及在轨验证情况,对高分辨率光学遥感卫星和多线阵观测卫星的几何精度的星-地全链路影响误差项进行对比分析,通过理论分析找出了约束我国高分辨率遥感卫星几何精度的关键问题,最后探讨了如何通过星上设计配合地面处理提高高分辨率遥感卫星的几何精度。     

Optimization of geosynchronous satellite constellation for independent regional navigation and positioning in Middle East region

Regional Navigation and positioning systems using geosynchronous satellites are emerging for different parts of the world. Optimal constellation geometry achievement for a set of geosynchronous satellites is a key sector in designing of such systems. Genetic algorithm is applied for optimization of constellations with 6 and 7 satellites which is to be used in Middle East region where these systems have been deprived of. Based on the fact that the coverage criterion is not sufficient enough to guarantee a good navigation service, positioning process by the satellite systems is discussed and the performance of the system on the basis of position dilution of precision is collected as the fitness criterion. Placing the satellites in groups to pass over the same ground track is applied as a constraint to the genetic algorithm. By simulation, performance of the best obtained results and GPS are compared in terms of position dilution of precision, visibility and the required epochs (time span) to resolve the ambiguities with a 99% success rate, in this region. Also, capability of the GA for such problems is demonstrated.     

Fuel consumption and collision avoidance strategy in multi-static orbit formations

This paper analyses the fuel consumption of interferometric radar missions employing small satellite formations like, e.g., Cross-track Pendulum, Cartwheel, CarPe, or Trinodal Pendulum. Individual analytic expressions are provided for each of the following contributions: separation from a simultaneously injected master satellite, formation set-up, orbit maintenance, formation maintenance, and distance maintenance. For this, a general system of equations is derived describing the relative motion of the small satellites in a co-rotating reference frame. The transformation into Keplerian elements is carried out. To evaluate fuel consumption, three master satellites are assumed in different orbital heights, which are typical for Earth observation missions. The size of the exemplarily analysed formations is defined by remote sensing aspects and their respective fuel requirements are estimated. Furthermore, a collision avoidance concept is introduced, which includes a formation separation and formation set-up after a desired time period.     

通信卫星地平信号的自适应观测处理器

本文分析了国际上通用的以地平边缘的红外辐射信号作为卫星天线系统基准信号所存在的问题,应用控制理论和数字计算原理,提出了地平信号“取中”的自适应处理方法。依据这一方法,在我国通信试验卫星控制系统设计中,设计了地平信号自适应观测处理器,给出稳定的“地中”信号,作为自旋卫星天线消旋系统的基准信号。通过误差分析以及地面模拟试验和几次飞行试验充分证明,本文所提出的红外地平信号“取中”设计方案的正确性。此方案优于国际通用的红外地平“边缘”方案。     

用于对地观测定位的编队飞行卫星群轨道构形设计

编队飞行卫星群是一组小卫星,它们具有短的相对距离、相等的轨道半长轴和微小差别的其它轨道要素,它们形成相互伴随运动,并且具有一定的构形。提出将编队飞行卫星群的轨道设计技术应用于对地观测定位卫星系统中。根据设想的要求,针对由四颗伴随卫星围绕基准卫星(或一个虚拟的中心)飞行的轨道设计案例,初步分析了编队飞行卫星群的构形保持,地球引力和大气阻力的摄动影响等问题。     

我国遥感卫星系统发展进阶路径探讨

文章回顾了作为人造地球卫星重要分支的遥感卫星及其相关的遥感技术和遥感产业的国内外发展历程,结合未来技术发展趋势和我国新时代发展需求,分别针对高端卫星和商业卫星,探讨我国卫星遥感系统发展进阶路径,提出值得关注的重大技术方向,旨在为卫星系统规划、遥感载荷部署、卫星应用拓展等提供借鉴。     

Multiple continuous coverage of the earth based on multi-satellite systems with linear structure

A new and wider definition is given to multi-satellite systems with linear structure (SLS), and efficiency of their application to multiple continuous coverage of the Earth is substantiated. Owing to this widening, SLS have incorporated already well-recognized “polar systems” by L. Rider and W.S. Adams, “kinematically regular systems” by G.V. Mozhaev, and “delta-systems” by J.G. Walker, as well as “near-polar systems” by Yu.P. Ulybyshev, and some other satellite constellations unknown before. A universal method of SLS optimization is presented, valid for any values of coverage multiplicity and the number of satellites in a system. The method uses the criterion of minimum radius of a circle seen from a satellite on the surface of the globe. Among the best SLS found in this way there are both systems representing the well-known classes mentioned above and new orbit constellations of satellites.     

A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

Optimal Choice of a Satellite Broadcasting System Based on High-Elliptic Orbits

The problem of the construction of a satellite broadcasting system whose capabilities are supplemented and expanded in comparison with geosynchronous satellites is considered. The optimal orbit of a high-elliptic satellite of the Earth, which provides for a maximal duration of stay of the satellite sighting line within the directional pattern of an antenna motionlessly installed on the Earth's surface, is determined. The advantages of using a satellite system with such orbits are shown.     

对地观测卫星区域综合组网及性能分析方法研究

明确了卫星综合组网和区域组网的概念 ,研究在对地观测卫星区域组网中卫星网的综合设计原则 ,提出确定区域组网中卫星轨道平面与卫星数量的一般方法 ,初步建立卫星网性能分析的指标体系和评估模型。     

敏捷成像卫星调度的改进量子遗传算法

针对敏捷成像卫星调度问题中解空间大，选择任务的搜索空间和确定任务观测时间的搜索空间分别是离散域和连续域的难题。建立了多种决策变量混合的敏捷成像卫星调度模型，提出一种改进的量子遗传算法对其求解，改进的量子遗传算法采用二进制与实数杂合的编码方式，降低染色体的基因位编码数目，提高了搜索效率，有效适应了敏捷成像卫星调度问题中离散与连续混合的解空间；以杂合编码为基础，设计对应的观测函数将敏捷成像卫星调度问题的解映射到相位空间，从而将量子优化机制引入敏捷成像卫星调度问题中，利用量子遗传算法在相位空间搜索的特性解决敏捷成像卫星解空间大、解空间离散与连续并存的问题。最后，通过不同规模的仿真校验对算法的调度效果进行测试和分析。结果表明，所提改进的量子遗传算法在收敛速度和方案收益方面都有较好的表现，能够满足敏捷成像卫星调度的需要。     

超低轨卫星气动力辅助轨道控制研究

针对超低轨卫星所受气动力显著的特点,提出一种利用气动舵的气动力辅助轨道控制方法。通过分析大气旋转、卫星所处空间位置以及气动舵偏转角度对气动力的影响,对提出的轨道控制方法进行了优化。该方法通过调整气动舵产生连续微小的气动力对卫星轨道进行控制,使各轨道要素均保持在误差容限范围内。将其应用于太阳同步轨道上的对地观测卫星,仿真结果表明,该方法可以在卫星姿态保持三轴对地稳定的前提下,实现轨道保持控制,保证任意纬度下卫星实际位置与标称轨道位置偏差在给定范围内。