Improved Grid Simulation for Constellation Coverage Performance Evaluation

In satellite constellation design, the rapid evaluation of the coverage performance is of great importance. The improved grid simulation is based on the in-view period determination. The in-view period is calculated from the satellite rise and set instants. It has been shown that the in-view period computation algorithm allows the rapid selection of a constellation with the desired performance. As an example, a Molniya orbit constellation entailing 3 satellites is investigated in detail. The coverage performance is given and the influence of the number of satellites and points is discussed. The operation of the sample was shown to be reliable and rapid.