Applications of a Networked Array of Small Satellites for Planetary Observation

Abstract

The goal of this study is to explore those applications which can best utilize a network of orbiting satellites working as a distributed computing array. The satellites are presumed to be low-cost mini- or micro-satellites orbiting Earth or some other celestial body (i.e., an asteroid, moon, etc.), and should have a (near) constant communication link between the satellites, such that any given satellite can continuously send data to any other satellite in the network; however, as a low-cost and potentially remotely operated mission scenario, it is assumed that the downlink bandwidth via Earth-based ground stations will be very limited. As such, the goal of the networked array of satellites is to directly compute the data or science product in-space, as opposed to the traditional scheme of downloading all of the raw data and processing the results on the ground. Not all observations techniques will benefit from this space-based distributed computing approach, but case studies involving gravity field determination will be provided to highlight the potential of such systems.