H.E.R.M.E.S.: a CubeSat Based Constellation for the New Generation of Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

H.E.R.M.E.S., a mission to fly in 2022, is the first 6 high performance 3U CubeSats LEO constellation to collect multi-messenger astrophysics data devoted through a fractionated payload strategy. The paper describes the Mission Analysis performed to achieve the highest possible sky coverage Sky throughout the mission duration, exploiting an innovative tool to optimize the coordinated pointing strategy of the distinct space elements, coupled with their natural relative orbital dynamics. A wide coverage analysis and communication passages optimization is discussed aiming to minimize the latency between the astrophysical event detection and its ground communication.