Analysis of the requirements for satellite сonstellation control

Abstract

Currently, Kazakhstan has started to develop, design and build micro- and nanosatellites that can be used for remote sensing, communications and the Internet of Things. These tasks involve the use of a constellation of up to 20 or more satellites. In this regard, the task of constellation control arises to fulfill the set goals. In this article we review open sources on the issues of satellite constellation control to identify the main tasks and problems arising in the fulfillment of flight missions. It is shown that constellation control is reduced not only to the preservation of the geometry of their location, which is set to perform a particular task,
but is associated with the prevention of collisions between satellites during various maneuvers, due to space debris or other satellite. During maneuvers it is also necessary to minimize propellant consumption, i.e.
optimize the routes of the satellites relative to each other. All these problems require their solution when creating a software product for satellite constellation control. Based on the analysis of literature sources, the requirements for satellite constellation control are formulated taking into account reliability, system flexibility, optimization of propellant consumption and compliance with international rules and guidelines for space operations.