Design of Satellite Constellations for Optimal Continuous Coverage

A satellite-borne sensor can view a region at or above the Earth's surface. The size of this region depends on the satellite's altitude, the maximum range and scan angle of the sensor, the minimum above-the-horizon viewing angle required, the extent in altitude of the region to be viewed, and the maximum altitude of sensor obscuration by the atmosphere. Except for geosynchronous satellites this region moves relative to the Earth, so that constellations of satellites are generally necessary for continuous coverage. Satellite constellations which minimize the number of satellites required for continuous coverage are derived as a function of the angle subtended at the Earth's center by the coverage of a single satellite. This is done for single and triple continuous coverage of the entire Earth and of the polar regions extending to arbitrary latitude. Simple, cogent approximations for the configurations and numbers of satellites are found. Expressions which relate sensor capabilities and surveillance requirements to are presented. Examples are given to illustrate the use and accuracy of the results.