Optimal ground station operation for tracking multiple satellites

Abstract

The recent surge in small satellite missions has increased the need for efficient operations of ground control stations. Using a single ground station (GS) has limitations regarding the coverage area in which it can provide a direct contact to the satellite, and the duration of each pass of the satellite. Accessing a network of GSs that allow tracking and operation of any given satellite for longer period and wider range of communication coverage is one solution to such problem. This thesis focuses on the suitability of establishing such network within the UAE. Five different points of communication were chosen on the bases of available GS facilities or possible plans of establishing some. The aim is to investigate these locations and conclude the optimal number and locations of GSs that may provide communication to the satellite for longer access time and redundancy. General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) and Python were used to generate simulations of these GSs, and test the efficiency of these GSs using randomly generated satellites. Detailed analysis of the data on access times was conducted to obtain the number of GSs and their locations for optimal ground segment operations to command and downlink data from multiple satellites. As a result, the optimal number of GSs in a set from the chosen five locations is three GSs that are located in Abu Dhabi (Khalifa University, Masdar City campus), Ras Al Khaima (American University of RAK), and Fujairah (Fujairah Municipality).

Date of Award	Jul 2018
Original language	American English