Introduction Distributed space system concepts, with its inherent advantages such as re-configurability, adaptability to failures, represent the latest paradigm in space research. Such distributed space sensors have the potential to achieve measurements that are impossible with monolithic satellite approaches. By making use of small micro-satellite buses, distributed space systems present great advantages in terms of cost, development time, and the possibility to implement evolutionary on-orbit systems. The DLR TanDEM-X mission is currently the most advanced satellite demonstration of a distributed radar sensor even if being only a two-satellite mission. This project deals with a distributed radar aperture consisting of several micro-satellites flying in coordinated formation. This is a significantly more advanced step as the payload has to be distributed over the various platforms. It is hoped that the various platforms with their associated payloads would be able to interact with each other in order to retrieve unprecedented data, which would otherwise be unattainable via monolithic or two satellite missions no matter their size. Objectives The main objectives of this project are as follows: 1. Modelling of a distributed SAR (DSAR) system 2. Performance analysis based on an agreed-upon configuration (for example, a cluster of X-band micro-satellites with both cross-track and along-track separations) compared against an existing satellite SAR system. Identification of performance enhancements as opposed to a single large SAR system shall also be conducted 3. Analysis of applications benefiting from the distributed nature of the sensor (for example GMTI, very high-resolution wide swath imaging and 3D mapping) 4. DSAR processing 5. Error and sensitivity analysis of DSAR performance 6. Identification of potential DSAR demonstrator concepts Technical Approach The first phase of the Research Project will focus on the building of a DSAR model, the development of methods and tools for DSAR performance analysis, and the definition of possible performance enhancements with respect to single satellite SAR applications. The second phase will conclude with results of performance, error, sensitivity analysis, target applications, and will include a recommendation of the DSAR configuration to meet specific requirements.
DISTRIBUTED MICRO-SATELLITE-BASED SAR PERFORMANCE STUDY / Moccia, Antonio; Renga, Alfredo; Fasano, Giancarmine; Rufino, Giancarlo; Grassi, Michele; Accardo, Domenico; Graziano, MARIA DANIELA; Opromolla, Roberto. - (2017).
DISTRIBUTED MICRO-SATELLITE-BASED SAR PERFORMANCE STUDY
MOCCIA, ANTONIO;RENGA, ALFREDO;FASANO, GIANCARMINE;RUFINO, GIANCARLO;GRASSI, MICHELE;ACCARDO, DOMENICO;MARIA DANIELA, GRAZIANO;ROBERTO OPROMOLLA
2017
Abstract
Introduction Distributed space system concepts, with its inherent advantages such as re-configurability, adaptability to failures, represent the latest paradigm in space research. Such distributed space sensors have the potential to achieve measurements that are impossible with monolithic satellite approaches. By making use of small micro-satellite buses, distributed space systems present great advantages in terms of cost, development time, and the possibility to implement evolutionary on-orbit systems. The DLR TanDEM-X mission is currently the most advanced satellite demonstration of a distributed radar sensor even if being only a two-satellite mission. This project deals with a distributed radar aperture consisting of several micro-satellites flying in coordinated formation. This is a significantly more advanced step as the payload has to be distributed over the various platforms. It is hoped that the various platforms with their associated payloads would be able to interact with each other in order to retrieve unprecedented data, which would otherwise be unattainable via monolithic or two satellite missions no matter their size. Objectives The main objectives of this project are as follows: 1. Modelling of a distributed SAR (DSAR) system 2. Performance analysis based on an agreed-upon configuration (for example, a cluster of X-band micro-satellites with both cross-track and along-track separations) compared against an existing satellite SAR system. Identification of performance enhancements as opposed to a single large SAR system shall also be conducted 3. Analysis of applications benefiting from the distributed nature of the sensor (for example GMTI, very high-resolution wide swath imaging and 3D mapping) 4. DSAR processing 5. Error and sensitivity analysis of DSAR performance 6. Identification of potential DSAR demonstrator concepts Technical Approach The first phase of the Research Project will focus on the building of a DSAR model, the development of methods and tools for DSAR performance analysis, and the definition of possible performance enhancements with respect to single satellite SAR applications. The second phase will conclude with results of performance, error, sensitivity analysis, target applications, and will include a recommendation of the DSAR configuration to meet specific requirements.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
