ReCon

Traditional satellite constellations are usually static, using large numbers of satellites to provide consistent global coverage. Reconfigurable constellations (ReCon) use satellite manoeuvring to supply on-demand regional coverage with shorter revisit times at a lower cost (past research shows ReCon costing 20-70% less than similarly performing static constellations). Current work on the ReCon project includes improving the sampling of uncertain factors that affect the satellite and constellation design, examining the effects of design constraints in the simulation model, and tasking the satellites once they are in the optimal position for collecting ground imagery.

Past SSL work in these areas was carried out by Josef Bogosian (SM 2008) and Robert Legge (PhD 2014), and current SSL students working on research in this area are Charlotte Lowey and Alex Steighner.