A distributed space radar sounder using a cross-track flying tethered satellite system

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze the performance of two possible architectures of tethered satellite systems, used as a platform for a distributed radar sounder. The first architecture consists in a cross-track oriented tethered satellite system, controlled and stabilized by exploiting the aerodynamic forces generated by the interaction with the rarefied atmosphere in Low Earth Orbit. The second architecture involves a tethered satellite system controlled through gyroscopic stabilization, obtained by spinning the system about an axis contained in the orbital plane. After a brief survey of radar sounding techniques, the methodology is introduced for describing the geometry of the systems and their characteristics, the performance of the two architectures are then compared with each other and with the current state of the art. By analyzing the modeled nominal behavior, it is shown that the two proposed architectures can achieve continuous or multiple observations, respectively, at maximum cross-track resolution, during one orbit, minimizing clutter noise. This is a considerable improvement of performance versus a formation flight architecture which can typically achieve only up to four observations per orbit. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each architecture are studied, and their possible mission scenarios are discussed.