A collaborative optimization approach to design and deployment of a space based infrared system constellation

Collaborative optimization, as a design architecture, has been used successfully in solving large-scale multidisciplinary optimization problems related to aircraft and space vehicle designs. The study presented in this paper attempts to demonstrate yet another application for this architecture, i.e., to satellite constellation designs. As an example, it is implemented for the design and deployment problem of a space based infrared system placed at low earth orbit.