Satellite constellations are families of orbits selected to provide useful coverage patterns for telecommunications, Earth observation, and navigation services. Such constellations are often assembled from families of circular orbits, which ensures a uniform spacing between satellites in each circular ring. A continuity equation is formed to describe the evolution of the number density of nodes as a function of both true anomaly and time. For small eccentricities, the continuity equation can be solved analytically to provide closed-form solutions, which describe the evolution of the constellation for some initial distribution of nodes. The closed-form solutions can then be used to investigate pattern formation in elliptical rings. The nodes are compressed in number density close to the apocenter, corresponding to the minimum of orbital angular velocity around the elliptical ring, and rarefied at the pericenter, corresponding to the maximum of orbital angular velocity.

Wave-like patterns in an elliptical satellite ring

COLOMBO, CAMILLA
2013-01-01

Abstract

Satellite constellations are families of orbits selected to provide useful coverage patterns for telecommunications, Earth observation, and navigation services. Such constellations are often assembled from families of circular orbits, which ensures a uniform spacing between satellites in each circular ring. A continuity equation is formed to describe the evolution of the number density of nodes as a function of both true anomaly and time. For small eccentricities, the continuity equation can be solved analytically to provide closed-form solutions, which describe the evolution of the constellation for some initial distribution of nodes. The closed-form solutions can then be used to investigate pattern formation in elliptical rings. The nodes are compressed in number density close to the apocenter, corresponding to the minimum of orbital angular velocity around the elliptical ring, and rarefied at the pericenter, corresponding to the maximum of orbital angular velocity.
2013
Aerospace Engineering; Space and Planetary Science; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Control and Systems Engineering
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1006531
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