Satellite Constellation Tracking Flying Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite constellations face challenges in tracking flying objects that intermittently repeat injection, particularly in Low Earth Orbits, due to complexity in communication operations, difficulty in selecting suitable satellites, and inefficiencies in transmitting information, especially when the flight direction is unknown and the orbital planes do not synchronize with Earth's rotation.
Innovation Solution
A flying object tracking system with a satellite constellation comprising multiple artificial satellite groups on inclined orbits, forming multiple orbital planes with distributed azimuth components, where detecting satellites transmit launch detection information through inter-orbital communication networks to ground systems via air-to-ground satellites, enabling rapid and accurate tracking and monitoring of flying objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GEO satellites are used for monitoring flying objects, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but tracking capability for intermittently injecting objects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring task by deploying multiple LEO satellites in different orbital planes rather than relying on a single GEO satellite. This segmentation allows continuous tracking of intermittently injecting objects as different satellites cover different spatial and temporal segments of the object's trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static GEO satellite monitoring to dynamic LEO satellite monitoring where satellites move relative to the Earth and each other. This dynamics enables the constellation to adapt its coverage area and maintain tracking capability as objects change injection patterns and trajectories.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LEO satellite constellation is deployed for launch detection and tracking, then tracking capability for intermittently injecting objects is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LEO satellites are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as communication satellites and monitoring satellites. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking satellites, thereby controlling system cost and complexity while maintaining enhanced tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges communication and monitoring functions into a single integrated LEO satellite constellation. By combining these functions, the system reduces overall complexity and cost compared to having separate dedicated tracking satellites while maintaining the ability to track intermittently injecting objects.
3Productivity
If optical communication is used for information exchange between LEO satellites, then communication efficiency is improved, but operational complexity and loss time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication protocols and predetermined routing paths for optical communication between satellites. This preliminary preparation reduces operational complexity during actual information exchange while maintaining high communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A detecting satellite in a satellite constellation detects a launch of a flying object and transmits, via communications with artificial satellites ahead and behind it on a detecting orbital plane, launch detection information to each artificial satellite on the detecting orbital plane. A source satellite on the detecting orbital plane transmits the launch detection information to a target satellite on a via-orbital plane that passes above a ground system. The target satellite transmits the launch detection information to each artificial satellite on the via-orbital plane via communications with artificial satellites ahead and behind it on the via-orbital plane. An air-to-ground satellite on the via-orbital plane transmits the launch detection information to the ground system.