http://gicap.ubu.es/publications/2012/PDF/2012_c01_RT-MOVICAB-IDS.pdf

Rt-movicab-ids

Two fundamental approaches can be applied to satellite-formation mission design: active control, where satellites exert forces with their thrusters to maintain a constant or periodic geometry for all or part of each orbit, and natural, where satellite orbits are designed to naturally assemble a geometry for all or part of each orbit to within a tolerance defined from scientific requirements. An actively controlled formation can be labeled virtual rigid body (VRB) because geometry is precisely maintained as if the satellites were rigidly connected. This work describes a hierarchical optimization method for minimizing mission design computational complexity and applies this method to the design of VRB, natural-orbit, and multi-impulse solutions for a tetrahedron formation applicable to the proposed magnetospheric multiscale mission. Cost is defined in terms of total fuel per second of observation and tetrahedron geometric quality factor. Although both natural-orbit and active solutions are feasible, the active solutions substantially increase average data quality and observation time per orbit at minimum fuel cost, and the multi-impulse solution does not require thruster use during data collection periods.

Optimization of a Tetrahedral Satellite Formation

This paper presents a concept design of an envisioned future intelligent Earth observing satellite (FIEOS) system. The proposed system is a space-based architecture for the dynamic and comprehensive on-board integration of Earth observing sensors, data processors and communication systems. The architecture and implementation strategies suggest a seamless integration of diverse components into a smart, adaptable and robust Earth observation satellite system. It is intended to enable simultaneous, global measurements and timely analyses of the Earth's environment for a variety of users. In particular, common users would directly access data in a manner similar to selecting a TV channel. We also discuss key technology problems, current technology development, amongst other things. It is concluded that (1) the proposed intelligent Earth observing satellite system is technically feasible; and (2) information technology and real-time information systems, for example multi-layer satellite networks connected with...

Concept design of future intelligent Earth observing satellites

This paper presents a simulated architecture of an envisioned future intelligent Earth observing satellite system (FIEOS). The proposed system is a space-based architecture for dynamic and comprehensive on-board integration of Earth observing sensors, data processors and communication systems. It is intended to enable simultaneous, global measurements and timely analyses of Earth's environment for a variety of users. This paper also reports our progress of initial research in on-board image database management, including data structure, data model, and query. The intelligence of EO satellite system lies in that common users would access data directly, and in a manner similar to selecting a TV channel. The imagery viewed would most likely be obtained directly from the satellite system. The future of this system is promising for Earth observation. Real-time information systems are key to solving the challenges associated with this innovative architecture. Realization of such a technologically complex system will require contributions of scientists and engineers from many disciplines. Hopefully, this revolutionary concept will impact dramatically how future Earth observing satellite's development in the next few decades.

/pdf/future-intelligent-earth-observing-satellites-2hdi436tu3.pdf

Future intelligent Earth observing satellites

: Formation flying is an enabling technique for numerous proposed satellite missions. The TeamAgent software system, based on Object Agent technology, is designed to enable multiple satellites to cooperate autonomously with particular focus on formation flying. A generalized agent-based software architecture for formation flying has been devised and is being applied to the Air Force Research Laboratory's TechSat 21 technology demonstration mission.

/pdf/agent-based-control-of-multiple-satellite-formation-flying-2i0bnh52p8.pdf

Agent-Based Control of Multiple Satellite Formation Flying

The ObjectAgent system is being developed to create an agent-based software architecture for autonomous distributed systems. Agents are used to implement all of the software functionality and communicate through simplified natural language messages. Decision-making and fault detection and recovery capabilities are built-in at all levels. During the first phase of development, ObjectAgent was prototyped in Matlab. A complete, GUI-based environment was developed for the creation, simulation, and analysis of multiagent multisatellite systems. Collision avoidance and reconfiguration simulations were performed for a cluster of four satellites. ObjectAgent is now being ported to C++ for demonstration on a real-time, distributed testbed and deployment on TechSat 21 in 2003. The present architecture runs on a PowerPC 750 running Enea's OSE operating system. A preliminary demonstration of using ObjectAgent to perform a cluster reconfiguration of three satellites was performed in November 2000.

D.M. Surka

Papers

The real-time ObjectAgent software architecture for distributed satellite systems