Repeat Ground Track SAR Constellation Design Using Revisit Time Image Extrapolation and Lookup-Table-Based Optimization

Designing repeat ground track (RGT) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellations for achieving rapid revisits over key areas is essential to employ spaceborne differential interferometric SAR (D-InSAR) technology in Earth observation missions, such as geological disaster monitoring and prediction. In this article, the features of average revisit time (ART) maps are first introduced and investigated, and then, an efficient and resource-friendly approach to calculate the ART of constellations is proposed. On this basis, a systematic method for designing an RGT constellation is provided, incorporating lookup-table-based optimization. Once the requirements of the expected RGT constellation, the incident angle of sensors on the constellation, and the orbital elements of the seed satellite in the constellation are given, the range of the optimal inclination and longitude of the ascending node (LAN) of the seed satellite can be found, and then, the entire constellation is determined. The proposed method enhances the efficiency of revisit time analysis and avoids the repeated modeling when the observation requirements change. Therefore, it is applicable not only prior to launch but also guides orbital maneuvering to adjust constellation configuration for an effective response to sudden disasters and so on. Finally, multiple RGT constellation design tasks are presented to demonstrate the proposed method.