Optimal Orbital Coverage of Theater Operations and Targets

Abstract

The use of satellites as a tactical asset to support theater operations is a desired capability for future space operations. Unlike traditional satellite systems designed to provide coverage over the entire globe or large regions, tactical satellites would provide coverage over a small region which can be modeled as a single ground point defined by a latitude and longitude. In order to provide sufficient utility as a theater asset, a satellite should be placed in an orbit that provides a maximum amount of coverage of the target ground point. This study examined the optimization of orbit parameters to maximize the number of passes made over a target. An optimization algorithm was developed to maximize the number of passes made while also minimizing the distance from the satellite to the target. Single satellite coverage properties as well as two and three satellite constellations were analyzed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA469182

Entities

People

  • Kimberly A. Sugrue

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Algorithms
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Simulations
  • Constellation Design
  • Earth Orbits
  • Elevation
  • Engineering
  • Equatorial Orbits
  • Latitude
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Operations
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Small Satellites
  • Space Operations
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites