A Review of Research on Digital Satellites Based on Low Earth Orbit Constellations

Xiaopeng Liu; Qianyu Li; Jun Yang; Yuhan Suo; Runqi Chai; Senchun Chai

doi:10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.11.300

A Review of Research on Digital Satellites Based on Low Earth Orbit Constellations

Xiaopeng Liu^*
, Qianyu Li^*
, Jun Yang^*
, Yuhan Suo
, Runqi Chai
, Senchun Chai

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the development of digital satellites based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, focusing on analyzing the current state of research and technological advancements both in China and abroad. It outlines typical system-level solutions and technical frameworks, and highlights key technological approaches including digital satellite platform design, inter-satellite communication, on-orbit processing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities. The report summarizes the achievements and challenges in the development of LEO digital satellite systems, evaluating their potential applications in communications, remote sensing, navigation, and more. Finally, it explores future development trends in the context of industrial dynamics and policy directions, aiming to offer valuable insights for leaders, experts, and professionals for academic and strategic discussions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1088-1093
Number of pages	6
Journal	IFAC-PapersOnLine
Volume	59
Issue number	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.11.300
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2025
Externally published	Yes
Event	23th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, ACA 2025 - Harbin, China Duration: 2 Aug 2025 → 6 Aug 2025

Keywords

Digital Satellite
Inter-Satellite Link
Low Earth Orbit Constellation
On-Orbit Processing
Satellite Communication

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10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.11.300

Cite this

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title = "A Review of Research on Digital Satellites Based on Low Earth Orbit Constellations",

abstract = "This report provides a comprehensive overview of the development of digital satellites based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, focusing on analyzing the current state of research and technological advancements both in China and abroad. It outlines typical system-level solutions and technical frameworks, and highlights key technological approaches including digital satellite platform design, inter-satellite communication, on-orbit processing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities. The report summarizes the achievements and challenges in the development of LEO digital satellite systems, evaluating their potential applications in communications, remote sensing, navigation, and more. Finally, it explores future development trends in the context of industrial dynamics and policy directions, aiming to offer valuable insights for leaders, experts, and professionals for academic and strategic discussions.",

keywords = "Digital Satellite, Inter-Satellite Link, Low Earth Orbit Constellation, On-Orbit Processing, Satellite Communication",

author = "Xiaopeng Liu and Qianyu Li and Jun Yang and Yuhan Suo and Runqi Chai and Senchun Chai",

note = "Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2025 The Authors.; 23th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, ACA 2025 ; Conference date: 02-08-2025 Through 06-08-2025",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

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doi = "10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.11.300",

language = "English",

volume = "59",

pages = "1088--1093",

journal = "IFAC-PapersOnLine",

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AU - Liu, Xiaopeng

AU - Li, Qianyu

AU - Yang, Jun

AU - Suo, Yuhan

AU - Chai, Runqi

AU - Chai, Senchun

PY - 2025/8/1

Y1 - 2025/8/1

N2 - This report provides a comprehensive overview of the development of digital satellites based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, focusing on analyzing the current state of research and technological advancements both in China and abroad. It outlines typical system-level solutions and technical frameworks, and highlights key technological approaches including digital satellite platform design, inter-satellite communication, on-orbit processing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities. The report summarizes the achievements and challenges in the development of LEO digital satellite systems, evaluating their potential applications in communications, remote sensing, navigation, and more. Finally, it explores future development trends in the context of industrial dynamics and policy directions, aiming to offer valuable insights for leaders, experts, and professionals for academic and strategic discussions.

AB - This report provides a comprehensive overview of the development of digital satellites based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, focusing on analyzing the current state of research and technological advancements both in China and abroad. It outlines typical system-level solutions and technical frameworks, and highlights key technological approaches including digital satellite platform design, inter-satellite communication, on-orbit processing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities. The report summarizes the achievements and challenges in the development of LEO digital satellite systems, evaluating their potential applications in communications, remote sensing, navigation, and more. Finally, it explores future development trends in the context of industrial dynamics and policy directions, aiming to offer valuable insights for leaders, experts, and professionals for academic and strategic discussions.

KW - Digital Satellite

KW - Inter-Satellite Link

KW - Low Earth Orbit Constellation

KW - On-Orbit Processing

KW - Satellite Communication

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025909829

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DO - 10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.11.300

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:105025909829

SN - 2405-8963

VL - 59

SP - 1088

EP - 1093

JO - IFAC-PapersOnLine

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T2 - 23th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, ACA 2025

Y2 - 2 August 2025 through 6 August 2025

ER -

A Review of Research on Digital Satellites Based on Low Earth Orbit Constellations

Abstract

Keywords

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