Microsatellite constellation for earth observation missions

Abstract

Recent technological advances in satellite miniaturization, directed efforts in earth observation towards microsatellite constellations. Ultimate goals of Earth observation satellite missions are having maximum number of images with high quality and maximum orbital performance such as maximum coverage and minimum revisit time. These goals can be achieved by microsatellite constellations. In this study, different conceptual constellation alternatives were analysed to optimise daily coverage and revisit times. In house tools were used for propagating the orbit and swath coverage modelling. Satellite potential swath is calculated on equidistant map projection using sub-satellite point, ground-track heading and off-nadir viewing angle.