The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations, generalizing Harmonic Flower Constellations (the symmetric subset of Flower Constellations) as well as the Walker/ Mozhaev constellations, is presented here. This theory is a new general framework to design symmetric constellations using a 2 2 lattice matrix of integers or by its minimal representation, the Hermite normal form. From a geometrical point of view, the phasing of satellites is represented by a regular pattern (lattice) on a two-Dimensional torus. The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations does not require any compatibility condition and uses a minimum set of integer parameters whose meaning are explored throughout the paper. This general minimum-parametrization framework allows us to obtain all symmetric distribution of satellites. Due to the J 2 effect this design framework is meant for circular orbits and for elliptical orbits at critical inclination, or to design elliptical constellations for the unperturbed Keplerian case. 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

published proceedings

  • CELESTIAL MECHANICS & DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Avendano, M. E., Davis, J. J., & Mortari, D.

citation count

  • 41

complete list of authors

  • Avendano, Martin E||Davis, Jeremy J||Mortari, Daniele

publication date

  • August 2013