This paper proposes a mission design of a constellation for improved Earth coverage using a family of 'heliotropic' orbits. The secular effects of the Earth's oblateness is exploited to maintain the spacecraft on a family of inclined orbits with a constant Sun-pointing apogee, so that enhanced coverage is provided during daylight hours for visible light imaging, or providing communications services during peak local demand. The initial orbital elements of the constellation are designed to meet increased coverage requirements. The orbit semi-major axis is selected in the heliotropic family for repeated groundtrack on specific locations on the Earth's surface. It is also shown that a small solar sail allows having these orbits at higher eccentricity, allowing the spacecraft to spend more time in the dayside of the Earth, w hen orbiting through the apogee. Copyright© (2012) by the International Astronautical Federation.

Constellations of inclined heliotropic orbits for enhanced earth coverage

COLOMBO, CAMILLA;
2012-01-01

Abstract

This paper proposes a mission design of a constellation for improved Earth coverage using a family of 'heliotropic' orbits. The secular effects of the Earth's oblateness is exploited to maintain the spacecraft on a family of inclined orbits with a constant Sun-pointing apogee, so that enhanced coverage is provided during daylight hours for visible light imaging, or providing communications services during peak local demand. The initial orbital elements of the constellation are designed to meet increased coverage requirements. The orbit semi-major axis is selected in the heliotropic family for repeated groundtrack on specific locations on the Earth's surface. It is also shown that a small solar sail allows having these orbits at higher eccentricity, allowing the spacecraft to spend more time in the dayside of the Earth, w hen orbiting through the apogee. Copyright© (2012) by the International Astronautical Federation.
2012
63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012 (IAC 2012)
9781622769797
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1008486
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