What is it about?
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in proposed Large Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Constellations, causing concerns regarding its impact on the long-term sustainability of the space environment. This work investigates how active control systems equipped with electric propulsion influence orbital separation distances and orbital capacity in LEO satellite constellations.
Featured Image
Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Why is it important?
As mega-constellations of electric-powered satellites become increasingly common, understanding safe and sustainable orbital capacity is crucial. This paper provides new insights into how factors like propulsion, orbit control, and environmental perturbations impact the maximum number of satellites that can operate safely in Low Earth Orbit.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Orbital Tolerance and Intrinsic Orbital Capacity for Electric Propulsion Constellations, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, June 2024, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/1.a35875.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
