Investigating Regional Communication Network Robustness of an Asymmetric String-of-Pearls Satellite Constellation Design Framework

Abstract

Appropriate selection of a satellite constellation design framework for a particular mission set requires a priori knowledge about the relative merits and shortcomings of different frameworks. Symmetric satellite constellation frameworks exhibit good properties for missions requiring continuous global coverage, whereas asymmetric satellite constellation frameworks benefit missions focusing on regional coverage. This research compares the performance of an asymmetric “string-of-pearls” common repeating ground track constellation design framework against a Walker constellation design framework for maintaining continuous connectivity between regions of interest. Several examples illustrate that the asymmetric string-of-pearls constellation framework appears to require an average of approximately 1.25 fewer satellites than the Walker constellation, whereas the Walker constellation appears approximately 7.86% more robust to satellite failures.