Optimization of Intersatellite Routing for Real-Time Data Download

The objective of this study is to develop a strategy to maximize the available bandwidth to Earth of a satellite constellation through intersatellite links. Optimal signal routing is achieved by mimicking the way in which ant colonies locate food sources, where the “ants” are explorative data packets aiming to find a near-optimal route to Earth. Demonstrating the method on a case study of a space weather monitoring constellation, we show the real-time downloadable rate to Earth.