FLOWER, AND STREETS-OF-COVERAGE CONSTELLATIONS TO A SINGLE CONSTELLATION DESIGN FRAMEWORK REDUCING WALKER

Satellite constellations are typically designed using either Walker or streets-ofcoverage methods. In some cases, the constellation may be optimized on the individual satellite level to produce non-uniform distributions. The recently developed lattice theory of Flower Constellations has generalized Walker constellations but cannot accommodate non-uniformity or streets-of-coverage. By inverting the integer lattice, one can define three continuous variables that generalize Flower and streets-of-coverage constellations while permitting non-uniform designs. Transitioning from integer parameters to continuous ones increases computational complexity but provides greater design flexibility and optimization. The highly nonuniform GPS constellation and the Iridium global communications constellation are both studied using the new framework.

REDUCING WALKER, FLOWER, AND STREETS-OF-COVERAGE CONSTELLATIONS TO A SINGLE CONSTELLATION DESIGN FRAMEWORK Conference Paper