This paper investigates the suitability of sun-synchronous orbits (SSOs) as an injection location for responsive, maneuverable spacecraft. This work identifies a range of near-circular, repeating ground track (RGT) orbits that can be easily maneuvered into from SSOs. Four orbits that are simultaneously sun-synchronous and have an RGT are found, which could deliver high-frequency imagery of a target with constant lighting conditions. A method for maneuvering between RGT orbits that are targeting different regions using high-thrust impulse propulsion is also presented. This method is used to model two possible case studies for targeting regions on demand starting from an SSO injection orbit. In a comparative case study with a method that used low-thrust propulsion to move between targets, it was found that the method outlined in this paper required 55% less Δ V . A case study considering urgent response times showed that RGTs covering targets could be reached in as little as 4 h from any starting location, but this could require extremely large amounts of Δ V (upward of 1 km/s), while any global target could be viewed within 18 h with a maximum Δ V of 122.5 m / s .


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    Title :

    Responsive Maneuver Planning for Sun-Synchronous Repeating Ground Track Orbits


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2025-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English







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