Methodology and software for estimating target efficiency of land remote sensing satellites at the stage of design

Abstract

The paper aims to present the software developed with the purpose of estimating land remote sensing satellites and space monitoring system target efficiency indices. The essence of the approach is step-by-step simulation of the satellite orbital motion with permanent determination of the flight conditions and estimation of the satellite and the space monitoring system target parameters. Main factors affecting target efficiency are taken into consideration; they include orbital elements and the satellite coordinates variation while its orbital movement, the satellite manoeuvres in the process of its target operation, conditions of survey objects taking, characteristics of survey equipment, etc. The algorithm used is based on a number of mathematical models such as models for generating initial data on survey objects, models for choice of survey objects within the satellite swath, models for constructing land remote sensing satellites survey path, models for estimating orientation of solar cell battery panels, etc. The software has been developed in Delphi programming support environment. It enables calculation of satellites target parameters such as ground resolution, operational efficiency, surveillance frequency, productivity.