Constellation Management

A significant aspect of Stratospheric Satellite constellations is the use of a StratoSail® Balloon Guidance System (BGS) to guide each platform in the network so that the geometry objectives of the constellation are achieved. The process of constellation formation control can require advanced algorithms to ensure that objectives are achieved.

This page is a jumping-off point to view several simulations that illustrate the feasibility of using a reasonably low level of trajectory control to maintain geometry objectives.

Uncontrolled Network

• Uncontrolled global network demonstrating the need for geometry control (7.3 MB)

Linear Networks

• Hurricane Intercept Mission showing effectiveness of trajectory control for overflying a moving target (504 kB)
• String of Pearls that overflies a moving hurricane target (2.6 MB)
• Reconnaissance simulation showing overflight of a fixed location (2.1 MB)

Global or Hemispherical Networks

• 5 m/s move to equator demonstrates the effects of trajectory control
  (859 kB)
• 5 m/s move to poles demonstrates the effects of trajectory control
  (1.0 MB)
• Controlled constellation uses a simple algorithm to maintain uniform global distribution (8.0 MB)
• Hemispherical Network Simulation uses a sophisticated algorithm to achieve coverage objectives (8.3 MB)

Potential Future Demonstration Missions

• Demonstration Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (DERBE) (307 kB)
• THORpex Simulation showing targeted observations for an adaptive sampling mission (526 kB)
• Global Disaster Information Network simulation showing adaptive response to regional disasters (12.6 MB)