Research on the operational regional coverage of satellite and spacecraft tracking and controlling

Lihua Qi,Jingna Cui,Rui Wang,Dongqiu Xing,J Joo

doi:10.1051/matecconf/202030901005

Abstract

In view of the problem of building ground stations for tracking and controlling of satellites and spacecraft, considering the fixed angle between the orbit of the satellite or spacecraft and the equatorial surface of the earth, and the difference of longitude between the two circles in succession of the satellite or spacecraft caused by the rotation of the earth, the operation area of the satellite or spacecraft was calculated by using the method of spherical projection of satellite orbit rotation, taking the earth as the reference system. The minimum number of ground stations needed for satellite tracking and controlling was calculated in three cases, by using the mathematical model of sphere ring area and honeycomb coverage. This model was validated by the launch and operation data of Shenzhou 7.

Highlights

With the development of the aerospace industry, the application of satellites and spacecraft plays an irreplaceable role in many fields
The measurement and control equipment could only observe the airspace above the tangent plane of the point, and the measurement and control effect was not good within the range of 3 degrees included angle with the ground plane
The measurement and control range of each measurement and control station only considered the airspace with an angle of more than 3 degrees with the ground plane

Summary

Introduction

With the development of the aerospace industry, the application of satellites and spacecraft plays an irreplaceable role in many fields. The whole process measurement and control of satellites or spacecraft using fewer ground stations was studied. The measurement and control range of each measurement and control station only considered the airspace with an angle of more than 3 degrees with the ground plane. During the launch and operation of satellites or spacecraft, there were often multiple ground stations jointly completing measurement and. In reference [4], the influence of earth rotation was considered, but there was a blind area in the measurement and control area of the station. Considering the influence of the earth's rotation, how many ground stations were needed to establish to achieve no blind area measurement and control?

Analysis of the operation orbit of a satellite or spacecraft

Solution to the number of ground stations

Arrangement method of regular hexagon of the measurement and control circle

Summary