Numerical Evaluation of Number of Observation Points and Preciseness in Multi-point Earth Observations Using Variable Shape Attitude Control

Abstract

Multi-point Earth observation missions perform multiple Earth observations at various attitudes in a short space of time. Variable shape attitude control (VSAC) has been proposed for multi-point observation missions due to its ability to enable microsatellites to realize agile large-angle attitude maneuvers. As the details of applying VSAC for multi-point observations have yet to be discussed, the authors used a specific assumed scenario of multi-point observations of landslides due to large earthquakes along the Nankai Trough. The authors used optimal control and formulated multi-point observations, and evaluated the number of points a satellite could observe and its precision using VSAC and compared this with the use of reaction wheels (RWs). In numerical simulations, VSAC succeeded in performing pointing observations for three different points during thirty seconds, and allowed the observation of more or an equal number of observation points compared to RWs.