Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers
This article describes a new alternative approach to satellite constellation deployment by incorporating momentum exchange tethers (METs). Traditional methods of deploying satellite constellations have limitations, typically involving costly propulsion systems and extended dispersion times. METs off...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Aerospace |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/3/182 |
| _version_ | 1827307497185083392 |
|---|---|
| author | Ben Campbell Lawrence Dale Thomas |
| author_facet | Ben Campbell Lawrence Dale Thomas |
| author_sort | Ben Campbell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article describes a new alternative approach to satellite constellation deployment by incorporating momentum exchange tethers (METs). Traditional methods of deploying satellite constellations have limitations, typically involving costly propulsion systems and extended dispersion times. METs offer a novel solution by efficiently transferring momentum between tethered objects, reducing the need for onboard propellants and streamlining the deployment process. This article discusses orbit design and maneuvers for different mission architectures using asymmetrical and symmetrical tether release techniques to deploy satellites into designated orbits. In addition, a short walkthrough of designing one possible constellation is given, showing how quickly a MET-deployed constellation can be established in low Earth orbit (LEO). This work contributes to ongoing research investigating the applicability of METs in satellite constellation deployments, which could potentially be a new opportunity for MET technology to start seeing routine usage in the space environment, and also enable new constellation architectures that have not yet been realized. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:40:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83eab56a80144d5e92c0fb3d3dacec43 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:40:00Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj.art-83eab56a80144d5e92c0fb3d3dacec432024-03-27T13:15:35ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-02-0111318210.3390/aerospace11030182Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange TethersBen Campbell0Lawrence Dale Thomas1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USADepartment of Industrial & Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USAThis article describes a new alternative approach to satellite constellation deployment by incorporating momentum exchange tethers (METs). Traditional methods of deploying satellite constellations have limitations, typically involving costly propulsion systems and extended dispersion times. METs offer a novel solution by efficiently transferring momentum between tethered objects, reducing the need for onboard propellants and streamlining the deployment process. This article discusses orbit design and maneuvers for different mission architectures using asymmetrical and symmetrical tether release techniques to deploy satellites into designated orbits. In addition, a short walkthrough of designing one possible constellation is given, showing how quickly a MET-deployed constellation can be established in low Earth orbit (LEO). This work contributes to ongoing research investigating the applicability of METs in satellite constellation deployments, which could potentially be a new opportunity for MET technology to start seeing routine usage in the space environment, and also enable new constellation architectures that have not yet been realized.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/3/182satellite constellationmomentum exchange tethersatellite deploymentorbit designmission designsmall satellite |
| spellingShingle | Ben Campbell Lawrence Dale Thomas Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers Aerospace satellite constellation momentum exchange tether satellite deployment orbit design mission design small satellite |
| title | Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers |
| title_full | Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers |
| title_fullStr | Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers |
| title_short | Basic Orbit Design and Maneuvers for Satellite Constellations Deployed Using Momentum Exchange Tethers |
| title_sort | basic orbit design and maneuvers for satellite constellations deployed using momentum exchange tethers |
| topic | satellite constellation momentum exchange tether satellite deployment orbit design mission design small satellite |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/3/182 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bencampbell basicorbitdesignandmaneuversforsatelliteconstellationsdeployedusingmomentumexchangetethers AT lawrencedalethomas basicorbitdesignandmaneuversforsatelliteconstellationsdeployedusingmomentumexchangetethers |