Satellite control device, satellite control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a satellite control device capable of shortening incommunicable time with a desired satellite device.SOLUTION: A satellite control device (1) comprises: an acquisition unit (11) that acquires information about an orbit; a determination unit (12) that determines whether optical communication capture tracking is possible from a first satellite device, for each of second satellite devices; a command generation unit (13) that generates a command for optical communication capture tracking of a second satellite device; and a transmission unit (14) that transmits the command to the first satellite device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a satellite control device, a satellite control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known business that provides satellite communications over a wide area using a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellite devices. In such a business, in order to monitor and control each satellite device that constitutes the satellite constellation, a satellite control device on the ground needs to transmit and receive data such as commands and telemetry to each satellite device via a ground station antenna.

[0003] However, as the number of satellites included in a satellite constellation increases, many ground station antennas are required to transmit and receive data to and from each satellite. However, the installation of ground station antennas requires a lot of time and cost. For this reason, a technique is known in which a satellite relays data transmission and reception between a ground station antenna and other satellites.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a satellite operation device that controls a relay satellite that relays communications between a satellite and an earth station so that the satellite tracks the direction of the relay satellite. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7211651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the satellite operation device described in Patent Document 1, the earth station can only transmit and receive data to and from satellite devices with which the relay satellite can communicate. Therefore, when it is desired to communicate with a desired satellite device, a relay satellite capable of communicating with the desired satellite device must be present in an area in which the earth station can transmit and receive data. In other words, the satellite operation device described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the time during which communication with the desired satellite device is unavailable becomes long.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an exemplary objective thereof is to provide a technique for shortening the time during which communication with a desired satellite device is unavailable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A satellite control device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a determination means for setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and determining, based on the information, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device; a command creation means for creating, based on a determination result by the determination means, a command for optically capturing and tracking a second satellite device that is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device; and a transmission means for transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0009] A satellite control method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a satellite control device acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment, setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device, determining, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device based on the information, creating a command for optical communication capture and tracking of the second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on a determination result in the determining, and transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0010] A program according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a determination process for setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and determining, based on the information, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and which are other than the first satellite device; a command creation process for creating a command for optical communication capture and tracking of a second satellite device that is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device based on a determination result in the determination process; and a transmission process for transmitting the command to the first satellite device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary effect is provided in that a technique for shortening the time during which communication with a desired satellite device is not possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a satellite control device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a satellite control method according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a satellite control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the orbits of a number of satellite devices according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination result according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of a determination result according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a satellite control method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a case in which a satellite control device according to the present disclosure transmits a command to a satellite device. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example in which a satellite control device according to the present disclosure transmits a command to a satellite device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer that functions as a satellite control device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following are examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, an embodiment obtained by appropriately combining the technical means employed in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, an embodiment obtained by appropriately omitting a part of the technical means employed in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the effects mentioned in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below are examples of effects expected in the exemplary embodiments, and do not define the scope of the present invention. In other words, an embodiment that does not exhibit the effects mentioned in each of the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0014] First Exemplary Embodiment A first exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is the basic form of each exemplary embodiment described later. The scope of application of each technical means adopted in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technical means adopted in this exemplary embodiment can be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure to the extent that no particular technical obstacle occurs. In addition, each technical means shown in the drawings referred to for explaining this exemplary embodiment can also be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure to the extent that no particular technical obstacle occurs.

[0015] (Configuration of satellite control device 1) The configuration of the satellite control device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the satellite control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the satellite control device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, a command creation unit 13, and a transmission unit 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, the command creation unit 13, and the transmission unit 14 are components that respectively realize an acquisition means, a determination means, a command creation means, and a transmission means.

[0016] The acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication devices. The acquisition unit 11 supplies the acquired information to the determination unit 12.

[0017] The determination unit 12 sets each of the multiple satellite devices as a first satellite device. The determination unit 12 also determines whether or not optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of multiple second satellite devices other than the first satellite device, which are included in the multiple satellite devices, based on the orbit information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The determination unit 12 supplies the determination result to the command creation unit 13.

[0018] The command creation unit 13 sets each of the multiple satellite devices as a first satellite device. In addition, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for the first satellite device to optically capture and track a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on the determination result by the determination unit 12. The command creation unit 13 transmits the created command to the transmission unit 14.

[0019] The transmitting unit 14 sets each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device, and also transmits the command created by the command creating unit 13 to the first satellite device.

[0020] (Effects of satellite control device 1) As described above, the satellite control device 1 is configured to include an acquisition unit 11 that acquires information regarding the orbit of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment, a judgment unit 12 that sets each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and judges whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device based on the orbit information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, a command creation unit 13 that creates a command for the first satellite device based on the judgment result by the judgment unit 12 to optically capture and track the second satellite device that is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device, and a transmission unit 14 that transmits the command created by the command creation unit 13 to the first satellite device.

[0021] Therefore, according to the satellite control device 1, it is possible to obtain the effect of shortening the time during which communication with a desired satellite device is not possible.

[0022] (Flow of satellite control method S1) The flow of the satellite control method S1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the satellite control method S1. As shown in Fig. 2, the satellite control method S1 includes an acquisition process S11, a determination process S12, a command creation process S13, and a transmission process S14.

[0023] (Step S11) In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication devices. The acquisition unit 11 supplies the acquired information to the determination unit 12.

[0024] The following steps S12 to S14 are executed until all satellite devices are set as the first satellite devices. In other words, each of the multiple satellite devices is set as the first satellite device, and steps S12 to S14 are executed.

[0025] (Step S12) In step S12, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of the second satellite devices other than the first satellite device, which are included in the multiple satellite devices, based on the orbit-related information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The determination unit 12 supplies the determination result to the command creation unit 13.

[0026] (Step S13) In step S13, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for the first satellite device to optically capture and track the second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on the determination result by the determination unit 12. The command creation unit 13 transmits the created command to the transmission unit 14.

[0027] (Step S14) In step S14, the transmitting unit 14 transmits the command created by the command creating unit 13 to the first satellite device.

[0028] (Step S15) In step S15, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not all the satellite devices have been set as first satellite devices.

[0029] In step S15, if it is determined that all satellite devices have not been set as first satellite devices (step S15: NO), the processes of steps S12 to S14 are executed until each of the multiple satellite devices is set as a first satellite device.

[0030] (Effects of satellite control method S1) As described above, the satellite control method S1 employs a configuration including a step S11 in which the acquisition unit 11 acquires information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a step S12 in which each of the plurality of satellite devices is set as a first satellite device and the judgment unit 12 judges whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, based on the orbit information acquired by the acquisition unit 11; a step S13 in which the command creation unit 13 creates, based on the judgment result by the judgment unit 12, a command for the first satellite device to optically capture and track the second satellite device that is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device; and a step S14 in which the transmission unit 14 transmits the command created by the command creation unit 13 to the first satellite device.

[0031] Therefore, according to the satellite control method S1, the same effects as those of the satellite control device 1 described above can be obtained.

[0032] Second Exemplary Embodiment A second exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions as those described in the above exemplary embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. The scope of application of each technical means adopted in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technical means adopted in this exemplary embodiment can be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure, as long as no particular technical hindrance occurs. In addition, each technical means shown in each drawing referred to for explaining this exemplary embodiment can be adopted in other exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure, as long as no particular technical hindrance occurs.

[0033] (Overview and configuration of satellite control system 100) The outline and configuration of the satellite control system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the satellite control system 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the satellite control system 100 includes a satellite control device 2, an orbital mechanics device 3, a satellite control device 4, and a plurality of satellite devices 5 (satellite devices 5A to 5C). In the following, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the satellite devices 5A to 5C, they will be simply referred to as satellite devices 5.

[0034] In the satellite control system 100, the satellite unit 5 includes an optical communication device. That is, the satellite unit 5 can transmit data to other satellite units 5 by optical communication and receive data from other satellite units 5 by optical communication. Examples of the satellite unit 5 include, but are not limited to, LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites and MEO (Middle Earth Orbit) satellites. Also, the satellite unit 5 can optically communicate with at least one other satellite unit 5. As an example, multiple satellite units 5 may form a satellite constellation.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the satellite control device 4 and the satellite device 5 can transmit and receive data to and from each other through wireless communication using radio waves. As one example, the satellite control device 4 transmits commands to the satellite device 5 via a ground station antenna not shown in Fig. 3. As another example, the satellite control device 4 receives telemetry from the satellite device 5 via a ground station antenna.

[0036] 3, the satellite control device 2, the orbital mechanics device 3, and the satellite control device 4 are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive data via a network. The orbital mechanics device 3 and the satellite control device 4 may each be provided in the satellite control device 2. The satellite control device 2, the orbital mechanics device 3, and the satellite control device 4 may each be configured to output and acquire data stored in each device offline via a medium, for example.

[0037] Specific examples of the network include a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a public line network, a mobile data communication network (3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, local 5G, etc.), or a combination of these networks. However, the network is not limited to these.

[0038] The orbital mechanics device 3 acquires telemetry received by the satellite device 5 and generates orbit-related information based on the telemetry. Examples of the orbit-related information include, but are not limited to, information indicating the orbit of the satellite device 5, information indicating the position of the satellite device 5, and information indicating the speed of the satellite device 5. The orbit-related information may also be information regarding an orbit after a predetermined time has elapsed (future orbit).

[0039] The satellite control device 2 is a device that generates information for controlling the satellite device 5. As an example, the satellite control device 2 generates a command to be transmitted to the satellite device 5 based on information about the orbit of the satellite device 5 generated by the orbital mechanics device 3. The command is a command for the satellite device 5 to optically capture and track another satellite device 5 that is capable of optical communication capture and tracking.

[0040] A command for optical communication acquisition and tracking is a command that controls the direction and light intensity of the optical communication equipment equipped on the satellite device 5 so that the satellite device 5 can optically communicate with other satellite devices 5.

[0041] (Configuration of satellite control device 2) 3, the satellite control device 2 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The satellite control device 1 may be a single device, or may be configured with multiple devices.

[0042] The communication unit 22 is an interface that transmits and receives data via a network. For example, the communication unit 22 outputs data supplied from the control unit 20 to the satellite control device 4, and acquires data output from the orbital mechanics device 3. Examples of the communication unit 22 include, but are not limited to, communication chips in various communication standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks, and a connector compliant with USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0043] The memory unit 23 stores data referenced by the control unit 20. Examples of data stored in the memory unit 23 include orbit-related information, a determination result described below, a list described below, and a command to be transmitted to the satellite device 5. Examples of the memory unit 23 include, but are not limited to, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination of these.

[0044] (Functions of the control unit 20) The control unit 20 controls each of the components of the satellite control device 2 .

[0045] 3, the control unit 20 includes an acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, a command creation unit 13, a transmission unit 14, and a list creation unit 21. In this exemplary embodiment, the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, the command creation unit 13, and the transmission unit 14 respectively realize an acquisition means, a determination means, a command creation means, and a transmission means.

[0046] The acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the orbits of each of the multiple satellite devices 5 from the orbital mechanics device 3. The acquisition unit 11 stores the acquired information in the storage unit .

[0047] The determination unit 12 sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as a first satellite device, and determines whether or not optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device for each of the multiple second satellite devices other than the first satellite device, based on orbit information stored in the memory unit 23. The determination unit 12 stores the determination result in the memory unit 23.

[0048] For example, when the determination unit 12 sets the satellite device 5A as the first satellite device among the satellite devices 5A to 5C shown in FIG. 3, the satellite devices 5B and 5C become the second satellite devices. In this case, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the satellite device 5A can perform optical communication capture and tracking for each of the satellite devices 5B and 5C. Next, the determination unit 12 sets the satellite device 5B as the first satellite device, and determines whether or not the satellite device 5B can perform optical communication capture and tracking for each of the satellite devices 5A and 5C. Finally, the determination unit 12 sets the satellite device 5C as the first satellite device, and determines whether or not the satellite device 5C can perform optical communication capture and tracking for each of the satellite devices 5A and 5B. An example of the process executed by the determination unit 12 will be described later.

[0049] The list creation unit 21 sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as a first satellite device, and creates a list that associates the first satellite device with a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on the determination result by the determination unit 12. The list creation unit 21 stores the created list in the memory unit 23.

[0050] For example, based on the determination result when satellite device 5A is set as the first satellite device among satellite devices 5A to 5C shown in FIG. 3, list creation unit 21 associates satellite device 5A with a satellite device 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5A. Next, based on the determination result when satellite device 5B is set as the first satellite device, list creation unit 21 associates satellite device 5B with a satellite device 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5B. Finally, based on the determination result when satellite device 5C is set as the first satellite device, list creation unit 21 associates satellite device 5C with a satellite device 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5C. An example of the process executed by list creation unit 21 will be described later.

[0051] The command creation unit 13 sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as a first satellite device, and creates a command for the first satellite device to optically capture and track a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on the list created by the list creation unit 21. The command creation unit 13 stores the created command in the memory unit 23.

[0052] For example, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for optically capturing and tracking a satellite device 5 capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the satellite device 5A based on a list in which the satellite device 5A is set as the first satellite device among the satellite devices 5A to 5C shown in FIG. 3. Next, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for optically capturing and tracking a satellite device 5 capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the satellite device 5B based on a list in which the satellite device 5B is set as the first satellite device. Finally, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for optically capturing and tracking a satellite device 5 capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the satellite device 5C based on a list in which the satellite device 5C is set as the first satellite device. An example of the process executed by the command creation unit 13 will be described later.

[0053] The transmitter 14 sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as a first satellite device, and transmits the command created by the command creation unit 13 to the first satellite device.

[0054] When the transmitter 14 transmits a command to the first satellite device, the command may be transmitted directly from the satellite control device 4 to the first satellite device, or may be transmitted to the first satellite device via another satellite device 5. An example of the process executed by the transmitter 14 will be described later.

[0055] (An example of a process executed by the determination unit 12) An example of the process executed by the determination unit 12 will be described.

[0056] The determination unit 12 first calculates the position vector and the velocity vector of each of the first satellite device and the second satellite device based on information about the orbits of the first satellite device and the second satellite device. The determination unit 12 may calculate the position vector and the velocity vector of each of the first satellite device and the second satellite device based on information about the orbits of the first satellite device and the second satellite device after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0057] Next, the determination unit 12 calculates a relative position vector, which is the difference between the calculated position vector of the first satellite device and the position vector of the second satellite device. The determination unit 12 also calculates a relative velocity vector, which is the difference between the calculated velocity vector of the first satellite device and the velocity vector of the second satellite device. Then, based on the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector, the determination unit 12 determines whether the second satellite device is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device.

[0058] An example of the case where the determination unit 12 performs this process will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the orbits of the multiple satellite devices 5. The orbits of the multiple satellite devices 5 shown in Fig. 4 are two-dimensional representations of nadir trajectories with respect to the Earth's surface, but the orbital hardness and orbital plane of the actual orbit have a three-dimensional extent.

[0059] For example, in FIG. 4, satellite devices 5A01 and 5A02 fly upward on orbital plane A. Satellite devices 5B01 and 5B02 fly upward on orbital plane B, which is adjacent to the right side of orbital plane A. Satellite devices 5C01 and 5C02 fly upward on orbital plane C, which is adjacent to the right side of orbital plane B. Satellite devices 5X01 and 5X02 fly downward on orbital plane X, which is adjacent to the left side of orbital plane A. Satellite devices 5Y01 and 5Y02 fly rightward on orbital plane Y, which crosses orbital plane A.

[0060] For example, when the determination unit 12 sets the satellite device 5A01 as the first satellite device, it sets other satellite devices 5, such as satellite device 5A02, satellite device 5B01, and satellite device 5B02, as second satellite devices. Then, the determination unit 12 calculates a relative position vector and a relative velocity vector for each of the satellite device 5A01, which is the first satellite device, and the other satellite devices 5, which are second satellite devices.

[0061] Next, the determination unit 12 determines whether the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector satisfy the constraint conditions for the optical communication device to perform optical communication acquisition and tracking. The constraint conditions are conditions under which the second satellite device can perform optical communication acquisition and tracking from the first satellite device.

[0062] As an example, when an optical communication device included in a satellite device 5 optically captures and tracks another satellite device 5, the rotation speed of the pointing axis of the optical communication device for capturing and tracking has an upper limit due to dynamic performance. Therefore, a constraint is that the value of the moving speed of the second satellite device relative to the first satellite device (i.e., the value of the relative speed vector) is lower than the upper limit of the rotation speed of the pointing axis of the optical communication device for capturing and tracking.

[0063] As another example, the amount of light in optical communication of the optical communication device equipped in the satellite device 5 attenuates depending on the distance. Therefore, if the distance from the satellite device 5 to the other satellite device 5 with which it will communicate is too far, the satellite device 5 will not be able to optically capture and track the other satellite device 5. Therefore, a constraint is that the distance between the first satellite device and the second satellite device (i.e., the value of the relative position vector) is shorter than the maximum distance in optical communication of the optical communication device equipped in the first satellite device.

[0064] For example, if satellite device 5A01 in Figure 4 is set as the first satellite device, and satellite device 5A02, which flies in the same orbital plane A in the same direction as satellite device 5A01, is set as the second satellite device, the judgment unit 12 judges whether the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector each satisfy the constraint conditions.

[0065] If the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector each satisfy the constraint conditions for optical communication capture and tracking, the determination unit 12 determines that the satellite device 5A02 can be optically captured and tracked from the satellite device 5A01. On the other hand, if it is determined that at least one of the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector does not satisfy the constraint conditions, the determination unit 12 determines that the satellite device 5A02 cannot be optically captured and tracked from the satellite device 5A01.

[0066] With this configuration, the determination unit 12 can suitably determine whether or not the second satellite device is capable of optical communication acquisition and tracking from the first satellite device.

[0067] In addition, in this configuration, the constraint conditions may include a condition that takes into account the curvature of the Earth. For example, when a satellite device 5 performs optical communication with another satellite device 5, if the other satellite device 5 enters the shadow of the Earth, the satellite device 5 cannot perform optical communication with the other satellite device 5. Therefore, the constraint conditions may include a condition that the other satellite device 5 does not enter the shadow of the Earth, based on the positions (values ​​of the relative position vectors) of the satellite device 5 and the other satellite device 5.

[0068] Next, the determination unit 12 changes the second satellite device from the satellite device 5A02 to another satellite device 5 (for example, the satellite device 5B01), and similarly determines whether the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector satisfy the constraint conditions for optical communication capture and tracking of the optical communication device. The process is repeated, and the determination unit 12 sets all satellite devices 5 other than the satellite device 5A01 as the second satellite device, and determines whether the second satellite device can be optically captured and tracked by the first satellite device.

[0069] After all satellite devices 5 other than satellite device 5A01 are set as second satellite devices, the determination unit 12 changes the first satellite device to a satellite device 5 other than satellite device 5A01 (for example, satellite device 5A02). Then, the determination unit 12 sets all satellite devices 5 as first satellite devices and performs a determination process.

[0070] In this way, the determination unit 12 determines whether the second satellite device can be optically acquired and tracked by the first satellite device based on the calculated relative position vector and relative velocity vector. Therefore, the determination unit 12 can suitably determine whether the second satellite device can be optically acquired and tracked by the first satellite device.

[0071] (An example of a judgment result) An example of the determination result by the determination unit 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the determination result. Fig. 6 is a graph showing an example of the determination result.

[0072] For example, if the first satellite device is satellite device 5A01 and the second satellite device is satellite device 5A02, the satellite devices 5A01 and 5A02 have the same orbital plane and fly in the same direction, so the relative position vector and relative velocity vector are small. Therefore, the determination unit 12 determines that the satellite device 5A02 can be optically captured and tracked by the satellite device 5A01.

[0073] Also, when the first satellite device is satellite device 5A01 and the second satellite device is satellite device 5B01, the orbital planes of satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5B01 are adjacent to each other and fly in the same direction, so the relative position vector and relative velocity vector are small. Therefore, determination unit 12 determines that satellite device 5B01 can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5A01.

[0074] Also, when the first satellite device is satellite device 5A01 and the second satellite device is satellite device 5C01, the satellite devices 5A01 and 5C01 fly in the same direction, but their orbital planes are not adjacent, so the relative position vector becomes large. Therefore, the determination unit 12 determines that the satellite device 5C01 cannot be optically captured and tracked by the satellite device 5A01.

[0075] Also, when the first satellite device is satellite device 5A01 and the second satellite device is satellite device 5X01, the orbital planes of satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5C01 are adjacent to each other, but the flying directions are different, so the relative velocity vector becomes large. Therefore, determination unit 12 determines that satellite device 5X01 cannot be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5A01.

[0076] In addition, when the first satellite device is the satellite device 5A01 and the second satellite device is the satellite device 5Y01, the orbital planes of the satellite devices 5A01 and 5C01 intersect and the flying directions are different, so the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector become large. Therefore, the determination unit 12 determines that the satellite device 5X01 cannot be optically captured and tracked by the satellite device 5A01.

[0077] An example of the determination result when the determination unit 12 sets all satellite devices 5 as first satellite devices and all satellite devices 5 as second satellite devices is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows which satellite devices are capable of optical communication capture and tracking, based on the route R that allows optical communication capture and tracking.

[0078] 5, as an example, the satellite devices 5 that satellite device 5A01 can acquire and track through optical communication are shown to be satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01. As another example, the satellite devices 5 that satellite device 5B01 can acquire and track through optical communication are shown to be satellite device 5A01, satellite device 5B02, and satellite device 5C01.

[0079] In Fig. 5, if we consider satellite 5 as a node and route R as an edge connecting satellite 5 to other satellites 5, a graph is created that shows which satellites are capable of optical communication acquisition and tracking between them, as shown in Fig. 6. The graph may be a tree with no closed paths, or a mesh with one or more closed paths. The graph shown in Fig. 6 includes multiple meshes.

[0080] Furthermore, when route R in Figure 5 is graphed, it may become a connected graph in which there is an edge path between any two satellite devices, or it may become a disconnected graph in which there is no edge path between any two satellite devices and it is divided into several graphs.

[0081] (An example of a process executed by the list creation unit 21) An example of the process executed by the list creation unit 21 will be described.

[0082] First, based on the determination result when satellite device 5A01 is set as the first satellite device, list creation unit 21 associates satellite device 5A01 with satellite devices 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5A01. If the determination result is the graph of FIG. 5, list creation unit 21 associates adjacent nodes connected to satellite device 5A01 by edges with satellite device 5A01. In the graph of FIG. 5, the adjacent nodes connected to satellite device 5A01 by edges are satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01. Therefore, list creation unit 21 creates a list that associates satellite device 5A01 with satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01.

[0083] Next, based on the determination result when satellite device 5A02 is set as the first satellite device, list creation unit 21 associates satellite device 5A02 with satellite devices 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by satellite device 5A02. As in the above-mentioned process, list creation unit 21 creates a list that associates satellite device 5A02 with satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5B02 that are connected to satellite device 5A02 by edges.

[0084] List creation unit 21 executes the same process until all satellite devices 5 are set as first satellite devices. An example of the list created by list creation unit 21 is shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the list.

[0085] In Fig. 7, satellite device 5A01 is associated with satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01 as satellite devices 5 capable of optical communication capture and tracking. Also, in Fig. 7, satellite device 5A01, satellite device 5B02, and satellite device 5C01 are associated with satellite device 5B01 as satellite devices 5 capable of optical communication capture and tracking.

[0086] (An example of a process executed by the command creation unit 13) An example of the process executed by the command creation unit 13 will be described.

[0087] Command creation unit 13 first sets satellite device 5A01 as the first satellite device and creates a command for satellite device 5A01. In this case, command creation unit 13 extracts satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01 that are capable of optical communication capture and tracking from satellite device 5A01 based on the list created by list creation unit 21. Then, command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A01 to optically capture and track satellite devices 5A02 and 5B01.

[0088] Next, command creation unit 13 sets satellite device 5A02 as the first satellite device and creates a command for satellite device 5A02. In this case, as in the above-mentioned process, command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A02 to optically capture and track satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5B02, which are capable of optical communication capture and tracking.

[0089] The command creation unit 13 executes the same process until all satellite devices 5 are set as the first satellite devices. That is, the command creation unit 13 creates commands for all satellite devices 5.

[0090] (An example of a process executed by the transmission unit 14) An example of the process executed by the transmission unit 14 will be described.

[0091] The transmitter 14 sets the satellite device 5A01 as the first satellite device, and transmits the command created for the satellite device 5A01 to the satellite control device 4. If the satellite device 5A01 is present within an area in which the satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data, the satellite control device 4 transmits the command created for the satellite device 5A01, which was sent from the transmitter 14, to the satellite device 5A01.

[0092] This configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a case where satellite control device 4 transmits a command to satellite device 5A01. In Fig. 9, satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data to and from satellite device 5 that exists within region V. Region V varies depending on the altitude of satellite device 5, but is shown as a circular region in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, satellite device 5A01 exists within region V, so satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data to and from satellite device 5A01. In this case, satellite control device 4 transmits to satellite device 5A01 a command that is output from transmission unit 14 and that has been created for satellite device 5A01.

[0093] When the satellite device 5A01 receives the command transmitted from the satellite control device 4, it executes processing according to the command. The command includes an instruction to optically capture and track the satellite devices 5A02 and 5B01. Therefore, the satellite device 5A01 optically captures and tracks the satellite devices 5A02 and 5B01.

[0094] (Another example of processing executed by the transmission unit 14) Another example of the process executed by the transmission unit 14 will be described.

[0095] The transmitter 14 sets the satellite device 5A01 as the first satellite device, and transmits the command created for the satellite device 5A01 to the satellite control device 4. If the satellite device 5A01 is not within an area where the satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data, the satellite control device 4 transmits the command to another satellite device 5.

[0096] This configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which satellite control device 4 transmits a command to satellite device 5A01. In Fig. 10, satellite control device 4 can directly transmit and receive data with satellite device 5A02 that exists within area V. On the other hand, in Fig. 10, satellite control device 4 cannot directly transmit and receive data with satellite device 5A01 that does not exist within area V.

[0097] 10, first, the transmitter 14 sets the satellite device 5A02 as the first satellite device, and transmits a command created for the satellite device 5A02 to the satellite control device 4. Since the satellite device 5A02 exists within the area V, the satellite control device 4 transmits the command created for the satellite device 5A02, which was transmitted from the transmitter 14, to the satellite device 5A02.

[0098] When the satellite device 5A02 receives the command transmitted from the satellite control device 4, it optically captures and tracks the satellite devices 5A01 and 5B02 in accordance with the command.

[0099] Next, the transmitter 14 sets the satellite device 5A01 as the first satellite device, instructs the command created for the satellite device 5A01 to be transmitted via the satellite device 5A02, and transmits the command to the satellite control device 4. That is, the transmitter 14 includes information indicating the route to the first satellite device in the command to be transmitted. Since the satellite device 5A02 is in the area V, the satellite control device 4 transmits the command created for the satellite device 5A01, transmitted from the transmitter 14, to the satellite device 5A02.

[0100] When the satellite device 5A02 receives the command transmitted from the satellite control device 4, it transmits the command to the satellite device 5A01 in accordance with the command. When the satellite device 5A01 receives the command transmitted from the satellite device 5A02, it optically captures and tracks the satellite devices 5A02 and 5B01 in accordance with the command.

[0101] 10, even if the orbital plane B of satellite device 5B01 is not included in area V in which satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data, satellite control device 4 can transmit and receive data to and from satellite device 5B01 via satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5A01. In other words, with this configuration, transmission unit 14 can transmit a command to the first satellite device even if the first satellite device is not present in area V in which satellite control device 4 can directly transmit and receive data.

[0102] This configuration is realized by the transmitter 14 referring to information related to the orbit. For example, assume that the information related to the orbit of satellite device 5A01 five minutes from now indicates that satellite device 5A01 will not be in area V five minutes from now. In this case, if the information related to the orbit of satellite device 5A02 five minutes from now indicates that satellite device 5A02 will be in area V five minutes from now, the transmitter 14 will transmit a command to satellite device 5A02 five minutes from now. In addition, the transmitter 14 will transmit the command to satellite device 5A01 via satellite device 5A02 five minutes from now.

[0103] In addition, a method of determining a route for the transmitter 14 to transmit a command to the target satellite device 5 includes a method of using a known route snooping algorithm. An example of a known route snooping algorithm is SPF (Shortest Path First). For example, in FIG. 6, when a command is transmitted to satellite device 5C01 via satellite device 5A01, the following two routes are possible:

[0104] (1) Satellite device 5A01 → Satellite device 5B01 → Satellite device 5C01 (2) Satellite device 5A01 → Satellite device 5A02 → Satellite device 5B02 → Satellite device 5C02 → Satellite device 5C01 In this case, the route (1) has fewer nodes than the route (2). Therefore, the transmitter 14 transmits a command including information indicating the route (1) to the satellite device 5C01. The satellite device 5C01 also transmits telemetry to the satellite control device 4 via the same route.

[0105] (Flow of satellite control method S2) The flow of the satellite control method S2 executed by the satellite control device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of the satellite control method S2.

[0106] (Step S21) In step S21, the acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the orbits of each of the multiple satellite devices 5 from the orbital mechanics device 3. The acquisition unit 11 stores the acquired information in the storage unit .

[0107] (Step S22) In step S22, the determination unit 12 sets a first satellite device from among the multiple satellite devices 5.

[0108] (Step S23) In step S23, the determination unit 12 calculates a relative position vector and a relative velocity vector for each of the second satellite devices other than the set first satellite device, based on the orbit-related information stored in the storage unit 23.

[0109] (Step S24) In step S24, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the second satellite device can acquire and track optical communications from the first satellite device based on whether or not the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector satisfy the constraints for the optical communications capture and tracking of the optical communications device. The determination unit 12 stores the determination result in the memory unit 23.

[0110] (Step S25) In step S25, the list creation unit 21 creates a list that associates the first satellite device with the second satellite device that can be optically acquired and tracked by the first satellite device, based on the determination result stored in the memory unit 23. The list creation unit 21 stores the created list in the memory unit 23.

[0111] (Step S26) In step S26, the command creation unit 13 creates a command for the first satellite device to optically capture and track the second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device, based on the list stored in the memory unit 23. The command creation unit 13 stores the created command in the memory unit 23.

[0112] (Step S27) In step S27, the transmitter 14 transmits the command for the first satellite device, which is stored in the memory unit 23, to the first satellite device.

[0113] (Step S28) In step S28, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not all satellite devices 5 have been set as first satellite devices.

[0114] If it is determined in step S28 that all satellite devices 5 have been set as the first satellite devices (step S28: YES), the satellite control device 2 ends the execution of the satellite control method S2.

[0115] (Step S29) If it is determined in step S28 that all satellite devices 5 have not been set as first satellite devices (step S28: NO), in step S29, the judgment unit 12 sets any satellite device 5 that has not been set as a first satellite device as the first satellite device, and returns to the processing of step S23.

[0116] That is, the determination unit 12 repeats the process of step S29 to set each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as the first satellite device.

[0117] In addition, by repeating the processing of step S23, the determination unit 12 calculates a relative position vector and a relative velocity vector for each of the multiple second satellite devices when each of the multiple satellite devices 5 is set as a first satellite device, based on the orbit-related information stored in the memory unit 23.

[0118] In addition, by repeating the processing of step S24, the judgment unit 12 sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as a first satellite device, and judges whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible for each of the multiple second satellite devices from the first satellite device.

[0119] Furthermore, list creation unit 21 repeats the process of step S25 to create a list in which each of the multiple satellite devices 5 is set as the first satellite device.

[0120] Furthermore, the command creation unit 13 repeats the process of step S26 to create a command that sets each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as the first satellite device.

[0121] Furthermore, the transmitter 14 repeats the process of step S27 to set each of the multiple satellite devices 5 as the first satellite device, and transmits the command.

[0122] (Effects of satellite control device 2) As described above, the satellite control device 2 according to this embodiment creates commands for each of the multiple satellite devices 5 to optically capture and track other satellite devices 5 that can be optically captured and tracked by each satellite device 5. The satellite control device 2 then transmits the commands for each of the multiple satellite devices 5 to each of the multiple satellite devices 5.

[0123] With this configuration, the satellite control device 2 can cause each of the multiple satellite devices 5 to optically capture and track other satellite devices 5 that can be optically captured and tracked. In other words, the satellite control device 2 can transmit commands to other satellite devices 5 different from the satellite device 5 in question via a satellite device 5 to which commands can be directly transmitted from the satellite control device 4. In other words, the satellite control device 2 can transmit commands even to satellite devices 5 to which commands cannot be directly transmitted from the satellite control device 4. Therefore, the satellite control device 2 has the effect of shortening the time during which communication with a desired satellite device is not possible.

[0124] Furthermore, with this configuration, the satellite control device 2 can control multiple satellite devices 5 with a small number of satellite control devices 4. Therefore, the satellite control device 2 can cause the satellite control devices 4 to efficiently control multiple satellite devices 5.

[0125] (Variation 1) In this modification, a configuration will be described in which the satellite control device 2 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 8 when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0126] Examples of the predetermined condition include when there is a change in the information about the orbit acquired by the acquisition unit 11 from the orbit mechanics device 3, and when a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0127] When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the satellite control device 2 executes the process shown in Fig. 8. Here, in step S26, the command creation unit 13 may compare the created command with past commands stored in the memory unit 23. When there is a difference between the created command for the first satellite device and past commands for the first satellite device stored in the memory unit 23, the command creation unit 13 creates a command based on the difference.

[0128] As an example, assume that command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A01 to optically capture and track satellite device 5A02. Also assume that past commands for satellite device 5A01 stored in memory unit 23 were commands for optically capturing and tracking satellite devices 5A02 and 5B01.

[0129] In this case, there is a difference because the command created by command creation unit 13 does not include satellite device 5B01, which is included in the past command. Therefore, command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A01 to delete satellite device 5B01 from the satellite devices 5 that are optically captured and tracked.

[0130] As another example, assume that command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A01 to optically capture and track satellite device 5A02 and satellite device 5B01. Also assume that a past command for satellite device 5A01 stored in memory unit 23 was a command for optically capturing and tracking satellite device 5A02.

[0131] In this case, the command created by command creation unit 13 includes satellite device 5B01, which was not included in the previous command, so there is a difference. Therefore, command creation unit 13 creates a command for satellite device 5A01 to add satellite device 5B01 as a satellite device 5 to be optically captured and tracked.

[0132] (Effects of the satellite control device 2 according to this modification) In this way, when there is a difference between the command created for the first satellite device and a past command for the first satellite device stored in the memory unit 23, the satellite control device 2 in this modified example creates a command based on the difference.

[0133] As described above, the satellite control device 2 can transmit commands to other satellite devices 5 via satellite devices 5 to which commands can be directly transmitted from the satellite control device 4. In this configuration, the communication capacity between the satellite control device 4 and the satellite devices 5 to which commands can be directly transmitted from the satellite control device 4 becomes a bottleneck.

[0134] However, the satellite control device 2 according to this modification creates a command based on the difference between the created command and a past command. Therefore, the satellite control device 2 according to this modification can reduce the communication capacity between the satellite control device 4 and the satellite device 5 to which the satellite control device 4 can directly transmit commands.

[0135] (Variation 2) In this modification, a configuration in which a satellite control system 100 includes a plurality of satellite control devices 4 will be described.

[0136] When the satellite control system 100 includes multiple satellite control devices 4, each satellite control device 4 may be installed to correspond to each orbital plane of the multiple satellite devices 5. For example, assume that in the orbit shown in Fig. 4, the satellite control system 100 includes a satellite control device 4A corresponding to orbital plane A and a satellite control device 4B corresponding to orbital plane B.

[0137] In this case, satellite control device 4A transmits commands to satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5A02 flying on orbital plane A. Satellite control device 4B transmits commands to satellite device 5B01 and satellite device 5B02 flying on orbital plane B. Satellite device 5A01 flying on orbital plane A performs optical communication capture and tracking of satellite device 5A02 flying on the same orbital plane A, while satellite device 5B01 and satellite device 5B02 flying on different orbital plane B do not perform optical communication capture and tracking. Similarly, satellite device 5B01 flying on orbital plane B performs optical communication capture and tracking of satellite device 5B02 flying on the same orbital plane B, while satellite device 5A01 and satellite device 5A02 flying on different orbital plane A do not perform optical communication capture and tracking.

[0138] (Effects of the satellite control device 2 according to this modification) In this way, the satellite control system 100 according to this modification includes multiple satellite control devices 4 corresponding to the orbital planes of the multiple satellite devices 5. Therefore, the satellite control device 2 does not need to determine whether a first satellite device flying in a certain orbital plane can optically capture and track a satellite device 5 flying in an orbital plane different from the certain orbital plane. Therefore, the satellite control device 2 according to this modification can reduce the processing load.

[0139] [Software implementation example] Some or all of the functions of the satellite control devices 1 and 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "the above-mentioned devices") may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software.

[0140] In the latter case, each of the above devices is realized, for example, by a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter, referred to as computer C) is shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of computer C that functions as each of the above devices.

[0141] The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for causing the computer C to operate as each of the above-mentioned devices. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices.

[0142] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0143] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0144] Furthermore, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can obtain the program P via such a recording medium M. Furthermore, the program P can be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also obtain the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0145] [Additional Note 1] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0146] (Appendix 1) A satellite control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the orbit of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a determination means for setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and determining, based on the information, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device; a command creation means for creating, based on a determination result by the determination means, a command for optically capturing and tracking a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device; and a transmission means for transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0147] (Appendix 2) 2. The satellite control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means includes information indicating a route to the first satellite device in the command.

[0148] (Appendix 3) A satellite control device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the command creation means creates a command based on a difference between the created command for the first satellite device and a past command for the first satellite device when there is a difference.

[0149] (Appendix 4) A satellite control device as described in any of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the determination means calculates a relative position vector, which is the difference between the position vector of the first satellite device and the position vector of the second satellite device, and a relative velocity vector, which is the difference between the velocity vector of the first satellite device and the velocity vector of the second satellite device, based on the information, and determines whether the second satellite device is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device based on the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector.

[0150] (Appendix 5) The satellite control device described in Appendix 4, wherein the determination means determines that the second satellite device is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device when the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector each satisfy constraints for optical communication capture and tracking.

[0151] (Appendix 6) A satellite control method including: a satellite control device acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device; determining, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device based on the information; creating a command for optically capturing and tracking the second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on a determination result in the determining; and transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0152] (Appendix 7) A program that causes a computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a determination process for setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and determining, based on the information, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device; a command creation process for creating a command for optical communication capture and tracking of a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on a determination result in the determination process; and a transmission process for transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0153] [Additional Note 2] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0154] (Appendix 1) A satellite control device having at least one processor, the at least one processor executing an acquisition process for acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; a determination process for setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device and determining, based on the information, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device; a command creation process for creating a command for optical communication capture and tracking of a second satellite device that can be optically captured and tracked from the first satellite device based on a determination result in the determination process; and a transmission process for transmitting the command to the first satellite device.

[0155] The satellite control device may further include a memory, and the memory may store a program for causing the at least one processor to execute each of the processes.

[0156] (Appendix 2) 2. The satellite control device of claim 1, wherein, in the transmission process, the at least one processor includes information indicating a route to the first satellite device in the command.

[0157] (Appendix 3) A satellite control device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein, in the command creation process, if there is a difference between the command created for the first satellite device and a past command for the first satellite device, the at least one processor creates a command based on the difference.

[0158] (Appendix 4) A satellite control device as described in any of Appendix 1 to 3, wherein, in the determination process, the at least one processor calculates a relative position vector which is the difference between the position vector of the first satellite device and the position vector of the second satellite device, and a relative velocity vector which is the difference between the velocity vector of the first satellite device and the velocity vector of the second satellite device based on the information, and determines whether the second satellite device is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device based on the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector.

[0159] (Appendix 5) The satellite control device described in Appendix 4, wherein, in the determination process, the at least one processor determines that the second satellite device is capable of optical communication capture and tracking from the first satellite device if the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector each satisfy constraints for optical communication capture and tracking. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1, 2 Satellite control device 3 Orbit mechanics device 4 Satellite control device 5 Satellite equipment 11 Acquisition Department 12 Judgment section 13 Command Creation Section 14 Transmitter 20 Control section 21 List Creation Department 22 Communications Department 23 Memory section 100 Satellite Control System

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device; a determination means for determining whether or not optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices other than the first satellite device, based on the information; a command generating means for generating a command for optically capturing and tracking a second satellite device capable of optically capturing and tracking from the first satellite device based on a result of the determination by the determining means; a transmitting means for transmitting the command to the first satellite device; A satellite control device comprising:

2. the transmitting means includes in the command information indicating a route to the first satellite device; 2. The satellite control device of claim 1.

3. the command creation means creates a command based on a difference between the created command for the first satellite device and a past command for the first satellite device when there is a difference between the created command and the past command for the first satellite device. A satellite control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The determination means, based on the information, a relative position vector that is the difference between the position vector of the first satellite unit and the position vector of the second satellite unit; a relative velocity vector, which is a difference between the velocity vector of the first satellite device and the velocity vector of the second satellite device; determining whether the second satellite device is capable of optical communication acquisition and tracking from the first satellite device based on the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector; A satellite control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the determining means determines that the second satellite device is capable of optical communication acquisition and tracking from the first satellite device when the relative position vector and the relative velocity vector each satisfy a constraint condition for optical communication acquisition and tracking.

5. A satellite control device as claimed in claim 4.

6. The satellite control device Obtaining information regarding the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device; determining whether or not optical communication acquisition and tracking is possible from the first satellite device, for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device, based on the information; generating a command for optically acquiring and tracking a second satellite capable of optically acquiring and tracking from the first satellite based on a result of the determining; transmitting said command to said first satellite device; A satellite control method comprising:

7. On the computer, an acquisition process for acquiring information about the orbits of each of a plurality of satellite devices equipped with optical communication equipment; setting each of the plurality of satellite devices as a first satellite device; a determination process for determining whether optical communication capture and tracking is possible from the first satellite device based on the information for each of a plurality of second satellite devices included in the plurality of satellite devices and other than the first satellite device; a command creation process for creating a command for optically capturing and tracking a second satellite device capable of optically capturing and tracking from the first satellite device based on a result of the determination process; a transmission process for transmitting the command to the first satellite device; A program that executes the following.

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