RASCA: Reconfigurable, Agile Spacecraft Constellation Architectures
Abstract
This 12-month project will investigate and quantify the benefits of a maneuverable, rapidly responsive constellation of small satellites.The applicants have previously developed a fast, accurate, analytical method for the prediction and planning of spacecraft maneuvers using both natural orbit perturbations and electric propulsion. This work uses general perturbations techniques, meaning solutions can be gained almost instantaneously whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy, providing the user with a full overview of possible maneuvers and the associated time and propellant cost for each. Previous case studies have demonstrated the capability of this technique in responding to changing mission requirements. Due to the speed and accuracy of these techniques, they are ideal for application across multiple platforms working in parallel and under a coordinated framework, as would be required in a reconfigurable, agile constellation. This will enable a full overview of the solution space to be rapidly gained, allowing the mission designer or operator to trade-off all possible maneuvers.To implement such a system effectively, further basic research is required. The project will further develop the existing analytical solutions to allow for consideration of more realistic operating scenarios and higher fidelity modelling, as well as inclusion of user-defined constraints. In addition, basic research will be carried out to extend the method across multiple platforms working in parallel, enabling consideration of novel constellation architectures that were previously infeasible to optimize, but have the potential to greatly increase system level performance. Further extending the analysis to consider data routing and downlink through the network will provide insight into the true improvements in data acquisition times that would be possible with a maneuverable, inter-connected system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810147
Entities
People
- Malcolm Macdonald
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Strathclyde