Optimum Design of an SAR Satellite Constellation Considering the Revisit Time Using a Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

The optimum design of an SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite constellation is developed herein using a genetic algorithm. The performance of Earth observations using a satellite constellation can be improved by minimizing the maximum revisit time. Classical orbit design using analytic methods has limitations when addressing orbit dynamics due to various disturbances. To overcome this issue, an optimization technique based on a genetic algorithm is used. STK (Systems Tool Kit) is utilized to propagate the satellite orbit when considering external disturbances, and the maximum revisit time on the earth observation area is calculated. By minimizing the performance index using a genetic algorithm, the optimum orbit of the satellite constellation is designed. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.