MISSION ANALYSIS AND ORBIT CONTROL STRATEGY FOR A SPACE MISSION ON A POLAR TUNDRA ORBIT

In this paper a Polar Tundra Orbit is investigated for a space mission aiming at improving weather monitoring and forecasting on the North Pole and Canada. Specific requirements are given in terms of satellite operation lifetime, satellite-bus class, desired coverage of particular latitudes and observation sensor aperture. Orbit design is performed so to identify the set of orbital parameters which satisfy the requirements and, at the same time, limit the propellant consumption required for station keeping manoeuvres. Orbit design effectiveness is investigated by means of numerical simulations and comparison with a traditional Tundra orbit. It is also showed that with a particular selection of the initial values of the perigee argument and of the right ascension of the ascending node it is possible to limit the orbit correction to in-plane manoeuvres with a reduced propellant consumption.