The Benefits of Very Low Earth Orbit for Earth Observation Missions
| Autor: | R. M. Dominguez, Dhiren Kataria, Claire Huyton, Rachel Villain, Miquel Sureda, Katherine Smith, Silvia Rodriguez-Donaire, Francesco Romano, Jens Frederik Dalsgaard Nielsen, Sarah J. Haigh, Yung-An Chan, Nicholas Crisp, V. Hanessian, Stephen D. Worrall, C. Traub, Sabrina Livadiotti, Daniel García-Almiñana, Georg H. Herdrich, David Gonzalez, Morten Bisgaard, A. Conte, Steve Edmondson, Stefanos Fasoulas, Vitor Toshiyuki Abrao Oiko, B. Heißerer, J. S. Perez, A. Mølgaard, Badia Belkouchi, Peter Roberts, Luciana Sinpetru, Jonathan Becedas, R. Outlaw, A. Schwalber |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Enginyeria de Projectes i de la Construcció, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament de Física, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. TUAREG - Turbulence and Aerodynamics in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. L'AIRE - Laboratori Aeronàutic i Industrial de Recerca i Estudis |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Earth observation
Teledetecció orbital aerodynamics Computer science Aerospace Engineering FOS: Physical sciences 02 engineering and technology 01 natural sciences 7. Clean energy 010305 fluids & plasmas law.invention remote sensing optical imaging Terra (Planeta) -- Observacions debris collision risk 0203 mechanical engineering Physics - Space Physics law 0103 physical sciences Dalton Nuclear Institute Aerospace engineering Radar Earth (Planet)--Observations Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) Geocentric orbit 020301 aerospace & aeronautics Spacecraft Física [Àrees temàtiques de la UPC] business.industry Payload Mechanical Engineering Space Physics (physics.space-ph) ResearchInstitutes_Networks_Beacons/dalton_nuclear_institute Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion 13. Climate action Mechanics of Materials Physics::Space Physics Orbit (dynamics) Space debris Deixalles espacials Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics Aeronàutica i espai [Àrees temàtiques de la UPC] business Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics synthetic aperture radar |
| Zdroj: | Crisp, N, Roberts, P, Livadiotti, S, Abrao Oiko, V T, Edmondson, S, Haigh, S, Huyton, C, Sinpetru, L, Smith, K, Worrall, S, Becedas, J, Dominiguez, R M, Gonzalez, D, Hanessian, V, Molgaard, A, Nielsen, J, Bisgaard, M, Chan, Y A, Fasoulas, S, Herdrich, G H, Romano, F, Traub, C, Garcia-Alminana, D, Rodriguez-Donaire, S, Sureda, M, Kataria, D, Outlaw, R, Belkouchi, B, Conte, A, Perez, J S, Villain, R, Heiberer, A & Schwalber, A 2020, ' The Benefits of Very Low Earth Orbit for Earth Observation Missions ', Progress in Aerospace Sciences, vol. 117 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paerosci.2020.100619 UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) Progress in Aerospace Sciences |
| ISSN: | 0376-0421 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.paerosci.2020.100619 |
| Popis: | Very low Earth orbits (VLEO), typically classified as orbits below approximately 450 km in altitude, have the potential to provide significant benefits to spacecraft over those that operate in higher altitude orbits. This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of these benefits to spacecraft operations in VLEO, with parametric investigation of those which apply specifically to Earth observation missions. The most significant benefit for optical imaging systems is that a reduction in orbital altitude improves spatial resolution for a similar payload specification. Alternatively mass and volume savings can be made whilst maintaining a given performance. Similarly, for radar and lidar systems, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved. Additional benefits include improved geospatial position accuracy, improvements in communications link-budgets, and greater launch vehicle insertion capability. The collision risk with orbital debris and radiation environment can be shown to be improved in lower altitude orbits, whilst compliance with IADC guidelines for spacecraft post-mission lifetime and deorbit is also assisted. Finally, VLEO offers opportunities to exploit novel atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion systems and aerodynamic attitude and orbit control methods. However, key challenges associated with our understanding of the lower thermosphere, aerodynamic drag, the requirement to provide a meaningful orbital lifetime whilst minimising spacecraft mass and complexity, and atomic oxygen erosion still require further research. Given the scope for significant commercial, societal, and environmental impact which can be realised with higher performing Earth observation platforms, renewed research efforts to address the challenges associated with VLEO operations are required. Comment: 23 pages, 19 figures. Accepted for publication in Progress in Aerospace Sciences (24-04-2020) |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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