A novel space-based observation strategy for GEO objects based on daily pointing adjustment of multi-sensors

• Published in: Advances in space research 2016-08, Vol.58 (4), p.505-513
• Main Authors: Hu, Yun-peng, Li, Ke-bo, Xu, Wei, Chen, Lei, Huang, Jian-yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment; Belts; Daily pointing adjustment; GEO objects; Mathematical analysis; Multi-sensors; Orientation; Satellite observation; Satellites; Sensors; Space-based observation; Strategy
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2016.05.023

Space-based visible (SBV) program has been proved to be with a large advantage to observe geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) objects. With the development of SBV observation started from 1996, many strategies have come out for the purpose of observing GEO objects more efficiently. However it is a big challenge to visit all the GEO objects in a relatively short time because of the distribution characteristics of GEO belt and limited field of view (FOV) of sensor. And it’s also difficult to keep a high coverage of the GEO belt every day in a whole year. In this paper, a space-based observation strategy for GEO objects is designed based on the characteristics of the GEO belt. The mathematical formula of GEO belt is deduced and the evolvement of GEO objects is illustrated. There are basically two kinds of orientation strategies for most observation satellites, i.e., earth-oriented and inertia-directional. Influences of both strategies to their own observation regions are analyzed and compared with each other. A passive optical instrument with daily attitude-adjusting strategies is proposed to increase the daily coverage rate of GEO objects in a whole year. Furthermore, in order to observe more GEO objects in a relatively short time, the strategy of a satellite with multi-sensors is proposed. The installation parameters between different sensors are optimized, more than 98% of GEO satellites can be observed every day and almost all the GEO satellites can be observed every two days with 3 sensors (FOV: 6°×6°) on the satellite under the strategy of daily pointing adjustment in a whole year.