Geometric Ground Pattern for Satellite Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional satellite data collection methods for large areas are inefficient due to redundancy at high latitudes and sensitivity to orbit perturbations, leading to resource wastage and data overlap, particularly with small and low-cost satellites with limited resources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a geometric ground pattern approach that divides the celestial body's surface into fragments, allowing satellites to maneuver and collect data based on these patterns, reducing overlap and optimizing data acquisition by determining the most efficient coverage and bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional swath propagation covering is used to collect data from large areas, then data coverage is achieved, but data redundancy occurs particularly at high latitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the celestial body's surface into a geometric ground pattern of fragments before data collection. This pre-defined geometric pattern divides the coverage area into optimized segments that satellites can systematically acquire, reducing redundant overlaps particularly at high latitudes while ensuring complete coverage.
2Productivity
If strict orbit maintenance requirements are imposed to ensure efficient satellite operation, then data collection efficiency is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from static, pre-defined orbit paths to a dynamic geometric ground pattern approach. The pattern is defined in the ground reference frame and adapts to actual satellite positions and orientations, allowing satellites to efficiently collect data without requiring strict orbit maintenance. The system dynamically determines which geometric fragments are visible and acquirable from current satellite states.
3Area of stationary object
If satellites continuously scan the globe in repeating ground track orbits, then complete surface coverage is achieved, but resource wastage occurs due to redundant captures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary definition of the geometric ground pattern before data collection operations. This pre-established geometric framework allows the system to plan and execute data acquisition efficiently, knowing in advance which fragments need to be captured and by which satellites, thereby avoiding redundant energy consumption and resource wastage.
4Productivity
If multiple satellites are deployed to cover large areas, then data acquisition capacity increases, but bandwidth overcrowding and thermal stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The geometric ground pattern system enables satellites to autonomously determine their acquisition opportunities based on the predefined pattern and their current orbital states. Each satellite independently identifies which geometric fragments it can acquire, automatically optimizing the distribution of data collection tasks across the constellation without requiring complex centralized coordination, thereby reducing communication bandwidth requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices for planet observation are provided. A planet observation system is provided, comprising at least one vehicle comprising one or more sensors on board at least one vehicle, the at least one vehicle configured to follow a trajectory around a celestial body; and a control system comprising memory and a processor(s), the memory including one or more modules that are executable by the processor(s) to: direct, based at least in part on a geometric ground pattern covering partially or wholly a surface or volume of the celestial body, the one or more sensors to collect data; and store the data in memory on-board the at least one vehicle and/or transmit the data to another location. A computer-implemented planet observation method and a computer-implemented method of designing a geometric ground pattern for at least one vehicle configured to orbit around a celestial body are also provided.