Tundra Constellation Design and Stationkeeping

摘要

Constellations of satellites in Tundra orbits provide an innovative alternative to the increasingly crowded geostationary orbit belt. The Tundra constellation uses three or more spacecraft in inclined geosynchronous orbits. The nominal orbit design for the constellation must minimize any undesirable perturbation effects to provide affordable Stationkeeping costs. We describe a study of the Tundra orbit regime and design of constellations given a sample set of basic constraints. Frozen and partially frozen orbits are then sought from which to construct constellations allowing for reduced Stationkeeping requirements. Perturbation effects from third-body and geopotential sources are quantified and used to select orbits that will provide the needed coverage while providing a reasonable propellant budget.