Abstract
A conceptual study was undertaken on earth observation missions for a satellite within the Sun-Synchronous and Medium Earth Orbit (SS-MEO). Our mission study of a MEO Satellite was performed as pioneering research into a newly utilized earth orbit that exists between the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). One of the advantages of the MEO is that it delivers a wider field of view (FOV), which permits more frequent observations that are more easily obtained, in comparison with the LEO. Another advantage is that the performance demands for sensors are moderate, relative to those for the GEO. This conceptual study of earth observation missions is considered for the baseline (4184 km) orbits, focusing on optical sensors. We summarize the needs of each assumed user (products, observational frequency, and spatial resolution) related to four missions (agricultural, forest, ocean, and air pollution observations). Agricultural observation is expected to need a spatial resolution of 10 m and an observational frequency of a few times a week. As a result, required optical sensor is that with an aperture diameter of 30 cm, an f-number of 11, and a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 20. It is thought that the optical sensor for the agricultural observation would be larger in comparison with the previous optical sensors used within the LEO, because the S/N and FOV are smaller. However, it was found there is a challenge to be met in terms of a compatibility with the f-number and FOV. This paper shows the results of this conceptual study and the issues raised relating to mission sensors for earth observation missions in the MEO.
