Investigations and proposals for data relay satellite systems

Abstract

<p indent=0mm>After more than ten years of development, China’s data relay satellite (DRS) system has gradually become an efficient space-based information network infrastructure, which provides tracking services and high-bandwidth, near continuous, communications support for users’ many types of spacecraft placed in lower altitude than the geosynchronous orbit. With rapid increase in space activities over the past decades in China, the demand for the DRS system is growing evidently. This paper, mainly from the perspective of application, gives a comprehensive review on the DRS systems worldwide and summarizes the application status of China’s DRS system in these years. Then, we analyze the essence and difficulties of three key bottlenecks in actual DRS system and develop a set of comprehensive and effective solutions for those bottlenecks in the system resource management. Finally, on the basis of refining the application trends of such systems, we give some proposals for future construction and application of China’s DRS system, which includes further completing the system, enhancing the relay satellites’ capabilities, and improving the system operation efficiency. This paper aims to provide global perspectives and technical directions for decision-makers, scholars, and engineers related to the space information network. Moreover, for effectively solving the contradiction between the rapid growth of requirements and limited resources and promoting the capacity of China’s DRS system, we point out the most important development trends, challenges, and work proposals from the perspective of actual applications.