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Aerospace
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Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations
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Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations

A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Astronautics & Space Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 10082

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shijie Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Yinhe Hangtian (Beijing) Internet Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100192, China
2. Research Center of Satellite Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150006, China
Interests: satellite internet; aerospace communication; spacecraft navigation and control; spacecraft formation flying; space mission analysis and design of small satellites; visual perception
Dr. Yafei Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Information and Communication Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
Interests: LEO satellite communication; communication and navigation integration; orbital dynamics and control; UAV swarm communication
Dr. Tao Nie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: spacecraft orbital dynamics; spacecraft formation design and control; distributed spacecraft system technology
Dr. Xiangtian Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Information and Communication Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
Interests: spatial coordinated perception and control; spacecraft navigation and control; visual servoing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Distributed Space Systems (DSS) include formation-flying, swarms, and constellations, which enable large spacecraft functionality to be distributed among several smaller, less expensive, and cooperative spacecraft. It has become increasingly crucial for a variety of space missions, including Earth monitoring and environmental research, deep space exploration, space debris monitoring and tracking, in-orbit servicing, satellite navigation and communication, real-time remote sensing, etc. 

Despite significant research interest in the topic of DSS over the past decade, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. These include nonlinearity, convergence time constraints, collision avoidance, agile formation re-configuration, limited energy, computation and communication resources, time delay, routing scheme, constellation coverage optimization, etc. 

In this Special Issue, we aim to present contributions that add value to the advanced technologies of DSS. We invite submissions related to various areas of interest, including but not limited to:

  • Design and analysis of novel distributed space systems;
  • Advanced modeling and control theory;
  • Multi-spacecraft coordinated perception and navigation;
  • Networking technology of satellite swarms;
  • Space-based joint sensing, communication, and computation;
  • Design, control, and evaluation of LEO mega-constellations.

Prof. Dr. Shijie Zhang
Dr. Yafei Zhao
Dr. Tao Nie
Dr. Xiangtian Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • distributed space system
  • spacecraft formation flying
  • swarm
  • constellation
  • coordinated perception and control
  • collision avoidance
  • satellite networking
  • joint sensing, communication, and computation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 352 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Principle of Equitable Access versus Non-Appropriation in the Era of Mega-Constellations
by Kuan Yang and Sandra Amongin
Aerospace 2024, 11(10), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11100842 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 871
Abstract
In the 21st century, mega-constellations and interconnected satellite constellations deployed at various orbital altitudes, such as LEO, MEO, and GEO, with low Earth orbits (LEOs) being the most commonly used, have emerged as a trend, aiming to enhance the productivity and reduce the [...] Read more.
In the 21st century, mega-constellations and interconnected satellite constellations deployed at various orbital altitudes, such as LEO, MEO, and GEO, with low Earth orbits (LEOs) being the most commonly used, have emerged as a trend, aiming to enhance the productivity and reduce the costs in space service delivery. The UNOOSA has noted the uncertainty in the exact number of satellites but conducted simulations based on a substantial sample, projecting a significant increase from the 2075 satellites recorded in orbit in 2018. This surge in the launch of mega-constellations poses profound challenges to existing international space laws, originally formulated with limited consideration for private space actors, who are increasingly engaging in space activities, particularly with the cost-effective utilization of mega-constellations. This study critically analyzes the compatibility of mega-constellations with the current international space laws by examining the applicability of mega-constellations concerning equitable access and the non-appropriation principle, addressing their potential occupation of substantial orbital spaces during activities, and analyzing whether the acquisition of orbital slot licenses violates these two principles. Following an in-depth analysis, this study proposes recommendations to amend the existing laws, aiming to resolve ambiguities and address emerging challenges. Recognizing the time-consuming process of amending international space laws, this study suggests practical recommendations for supplementary rules of the road, prompting reflection on the potential obsolescence of the current international space laws in the face of evolving space activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
16 pages, 1049 KiB  
Article
Inter-Satellite Link Prediction with Supervised Learning: An Application in Polar Orbits
by Estel Ferrer, Joan A. Ruiz-De-Azua, Francesc Betorz and Josep Escrig
Aerospace 2024, 11(7), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11070551 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 931
Abstract
Distributed space systems are increasingly valued in the space industry, as they enhance mission performance through collaborative efforts and resource sharing among multiple heterogeneous satellites. Additionally, enabling autonomous and real-time satellite-to-satellite communications through Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs) can further increase the overall performance by [...] Read more.
Distributed space systems are increasingly valued in the space industry, as they enhance mission performance through collaborative efforts and resource sharing among multiple heterogeneous satellites. Additionally, enabling autonomous and real-time satellite-to-satellite communications through Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs) can further increase the overall performance by allowing cooperation without relying on ground links and extensive coordination efforts among diverse stakeholders. Given the constrained resources available onboard satellites, a crucial element of achieving cost-effective and autonomous cooperation involves minimizing energy wastage resulting from unsuccessful or unnecessary communication. To address this challenge, satellites must anticipate their ISL opportunities or encounters with minimal resource utilization. Building upon prior publications, this work presents further insights into the use of supervised learning to enable satellites to forecast their encounters without relying on orbit propagation. In particular, a more realistic definition of satellite encounters, along with a versatile solution applicable to all polar low-Earth orbit satellites is implemented. Results show that the trained model can anticipate encounters for realistic and unseen data from an available data source with a balance accuracy of around 90% and six times faster when compared with the well-known Simplified General Perturbation 4 orbital model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
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23 pages, 1587 KiB  
Article
A Graph Reinforcement Learning-Based Handover Strategy for Low Earth Orbit Satellites under Power Grid Scenarios
by Haizhi Yu, Weidong Gao and Kaisa Zhang
Aerospace 2024, 11(7), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11070511 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2077
Abstract
Amidst the escalating need for stable power supplies and high-quality communication services in remote regions globally, due to challenges associated with deploying a conventional power communication infrastructure and its susceptibility to natural disasters, LEO satellite networks present a promising solution for broad geographical [...] Read more.
Amidst the escalating need for stable power supplies and high-quality communication services in remote regions globally, due to challenges associated with deploying a conventional power communication infrastructure and its susceptibility to natural disasters, LEO satellite networks present a promising solution for broad geographical coverage and the provision of stable and high-speed communication services in remote regions. Given the necessity for frequent handovers to maintain service continuity, due to the high mobility of LEO satellites, a primary technical challenge confronting LEO satellite networks lies in efficiently managing the handover process between satellites, to guarantee the continuity and quality of communication services, particularly for power services. Thus, there is a critical need to explore satellite handover optimization algorithms. This paper presents a handover optimization scheme that integrates deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and graph neural networks (GNN) to dynamically optimize the satellite handover process and adapt to the time-varying satellite network environment. DRL models can effectively detect changes in the topology of satellite handover graphs across different time periods by leveraging the powerful representational capabilities of GNNs to make optimal handover decisions. Simulation experiments confirm that the handover strategy based on the fusion of message-passing neural network and deep Q-network algorithm (MPNN-DQN) outperforms traditional handover mechanisms and DRL-based strategies in reducing handover frequency, lowering communication latency, and achieving network load balancing. Integrating DRL and GNN into the satellite handover mechanism enhances the communication continuity and reliability of power systems in remote areas, while also offering a new direction for the design and optimization of future power system communication networks. This research contributes to the advancement of sophisticated satellite communication architectures that facilitate high-speed and reliable internet access in remote regions worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
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18 pages, 6791 KiB  
Article
Design and Analysis of the Two-Impulse Transfer Orbit for a Space-Based Gravitational Wave Observatory
by Zhuo Li, Huixiang Ling and Xiao Zhao
Aerospace 2024, 11(3), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11030234 - 16 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1308
Abstract
There are plans to set up a space-based gravitational wave observatory that will use an ultra-large-scale laser interferometer in space to detect medium- and low-frequency gravitational waves. Both heliocentric and geocentric formations adopt the method of launching three satellites with one rocket, which [...] Read more.
There are plans to set up a space-based gravitational wave observatory that will use an ultra-large-scale laser interferometer in space to detect medium- and low-frequency gravitational waves. Both heliocentric and geocentric formations adopt the method of launching three satellites with one rocket, which has high requirements in terms of the carrying capacity of the rocket. Therefore, a proper transfer design is a prerequisite for achieving space-based gravitational wave detection. In this paper, the transfer orbit for three satellites of the Taiji mission is designed based on the two-impulse transfer model. Moreover, the influence on orbit design of the position of the formation relative to Earth, the initial phase angle of the formation, and the initial time of transfer is analyzed. The Earth-leading and -trailing transfers show opposite patterns in the above three aspects. A smaller velocity increment is required if a proper initial time is selected. After taking into account the stability of the formation, C3, the required velocity increment, transfer time, and the distance to Earth, 20° is determined to be the optimal initial trailing/leading angle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
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18 pages, 1277 KiB  
Article
Near Real-Time Remote Sensing Based on Satellite Internet: Architectures, Key Techniques, and Experimental Progress
by Peng Zhang, Qin Qin, Shijie Zhang, Xiangtian Zhao, Xiaoliang Yan, Wei Wang and Hongbin Zhang
Aerospace 2024, 11(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11020167 - 19 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2731
Abstract
Remote sensing has become an essential tool for geological exploration, disaster monitoring, emergency rescue, and environmental supervision, while the limited number of remote sensing satellites and ground stations restricts the timeliness of remote sensing services. Satellite Internet has features of large bandwidth, low [...] Read more.
Remote sensing has become an essential tool for geological exploration, disaster monitoring, emergency rescue, and environmental supervision, while the limited number of remote sensing satellites and ground stations restricts the timeliness of remote sensing services. Satellite Internet has features of large bandwidth, low latency, and wide coverage, which can provide ubiquitous high-speed access for time-sensitive remote sensing users. This study proposes a near real-time remote sensing (NRRS) architecture, which allows satellites to transmit remote sensing data via inter-satellite links and offload to the Earth Stations from the satellite that moves overhead. The NRRS architecture has the advantages of instant response, ubiquitous access, and intelligent integration. Based on a test communication constellation, a vehicle-mounted Satcom on-the-move experiment was conducted to validate the presented NRRS architecture. The results show that the whole process from demand collection to image acquisition takes no more than 25 min, which provides an engineering reference for the subsequent implementation of near real-time remote sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
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15 pages, 1346 KiB  
Article
Distributed Robust Formation Tracking Control for Quadrotor UAVs with Unknown Parameters and Uncertain Disturbances
by Linxing Xu and Yang Li
Aerospace 2023, 10(10), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10100845 - 28 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1135
Abstract
In this paper, the distributed formation tracking control problem of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles is considered. Adaptive backstepping inherently accommodates model uncertainties and external disturbances, making it a robust choice for the dynamic and unpredictable environments in which unmanned aerial vehicles operate. This [...] Read more.
In this paper, the distributed formation tracking control problem of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles is considered. Adaptive backstepping inherently accommodates model uncertainties and external disturbances, making it a robust choice for the dynamic and unpredictable environments in which unmanned aerial vehicles operate. This paper designs a formation flight control scheme for quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles based on adaptive backstepping technology. The proposed control scheme is divided into two parts. For the position subsystem, a distributed robust formation tracking control scheme is developed to achieve formation flight of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles and track the desired flight trajectory. For the attitude subsystem, an adaptive disturbance rejection control scheme is proposed to achieve attitude stabilization during unmanned aerial vehicle flight under uncertain disturbances. Compared to existing results, the novelty of this paper lies in presenting a disturbance rejection flight control scheme for actual quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle formations, without the need to know the model parameters of each unmanned aerial vehicle. Finally, a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle swarm system is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology of Distributed Space Systems: Formation-Flying, Swarms, and Constellations)
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