Multi-satellite control system architecture and mission scheduling optimization

In this paper we propose an architecture for multi-satellite control systems and an optimization procedure for mission operations. The proposed multi-satellite control system architecture is obtained by structuring existing mission control systems into three organically connected components. : (1) the ground station responsible for the mechanical parts, (2) the users responsible for the overall management, and (3) the mission control element responsible for the overall scheduling and software operation. In addition, we present a mission scheduling optimization procedure involving numerous satellites and ground stations. The algorithm assumes the scheduling period time, the value and allocation time of the guidance parameter file for attitude control, and the mission value and image downlink allocation time. The visibility time between a ground station and satellites is calculated by simulation using the satellite tool kit. Hence, the scheduling problems can be treated as knapsack problems where the visibility time is analogous to the knapsack and the missions are considered to be the items. To solve the multi-mission scheduling problem, we applied the dynamic programming and greedy algorithms. We compared and analyzed the two algorithms.