Constellation Design Modules

Constellation Design modules implement highly optimized search algorithms capable of producing an efficient constellation design for global or zonal, continuous or periodic coverage in a matter of seconds.

The Continuous Coverage Constellation Design/Circular Orbits module allows you to consider symmetric constellations (known as "Walker delta" constellations) and "streets of coverage" constellations with polar or inclined orbits (examples).

The Continuous Coverage Constellation Design/Advanced Options module generates kinematically regular patterns with circular or elliptical orbits where all orbits have the same altitude, inclination, and argument of perigee. The generated constellation design should ensure the continuous availability of a specified number of satellites above the region of interest (examples).

The Continuous Coverage Constellation Design/Advanced Options Plus module provides all the capabilities of the Continuous Coverage Constellation Design/Advanced Options module. In addition, this module generates kinematically symmetric constellation design patterns, which, in certain cases, perform better than "streets of coverage" and "Walker delta" constellations (example).

The Periodic Coverage Constellation Design/Circular Orbits module generates kinematically regular patterns with circular orbits ("Walker delta" constellations) that provide the required maximum revisit time for given latitude bounds (examples).

Constellation Design modules can help you to minimize the number of satellites required by the constellation if orbital inclination and altitude are specified. Alternatively, you can minimize the altitude of orbit for a given number of satellites and the orbit inclination.

Other inputs of the design task are:

• Coverage area - entire Earth or latitude bounds.
• Constellation design constraints - number of orbital planes and number of satellites per plane (min and max).
• Access constraints - minimum ground elevation angle, maximum satellite sensor's field-of-view (conical half-angle), maximum ground station to satellite propagation range.