CubeSat constellations for disaster management in remote areas

Abstract

In recent years, CubeSats have considerably extended their range of possible applications, from a low cost means to train students and young researchers in space related activities up to possible complementary solutions to larger missions. Increasingly popular, whereas CubeSats are still not a solution for all types of missions, they offer the possibility of performing ambitious scientific experiments. Especially worth considering is the possibility of performing Distributed Space Missions, in which CubeSat systems can be used to increase observation sampling rates and resolutions, as well as to perform tasks that a single satellite is unable to handle. The cost of access to space for traditional Earth Observation (EO) missions is still quite high. Efficient architecture design would allow reducing mission costs by employing CubeSat systems, while maintaining a level of performance that, for some applications, could be close to that provided by larger platforms, and decreasing the time needed to design and deploy a fully functional constellation. For these reasons many countries, including developing nations, agencies and organizations are looking to CubeSat platforms to access space cheaply with, potentially, tens of remote sensing satellites. During disaster management, real-time, fast and continuous information broadcast is a fundamental requirement. In this sense, a constellation of small satellites can considerably decrease the revisit time (defined as the time elapsed between two consecutive observations of the same point on Earth by a satellite) over remote areas, by increasing the number of spacecraft properly distributed in orbit. This allows collecting as much data as possible for the use by Disaster Management Centers. This paper describes the characteristics of a constellation of CubeSats built to enable access over the most remote regions of Brazil, supporting an integrated system for mitigating environmental disasters in an attempt to prevent the catastrophic effects of natural events such as heavy rains that cause flooding. In particular, the paper defines the number of CubeSats and the orbital planes required to minimize the revisit time, depending on the application that is the mission objective. Each CubeSat is equipped with the suitable payloads and possesses the autonomy and pointing capabilities needed to meet the mission requirements. Thanks to the orbital features of the constellation, this service could be exploited by other tropical countries. Coverage of other areas of the Earth might be provided by adjusting the number and in-orbit distribution of the spacecraft.

Nanosatellites applied to optical Earth observation: a review

“…During natural disasters, fast, continuous and real-time observations are necessary. In this sense, nanosatellites and CubeSats constellations are very effective due to the high frequency of image acquisition (Santilli et al, 2018).…”

Experimental Tests and Performance Evaluation of a VHF Data Transceiver Prototype for Operation in the Antarctic Regions

“…Nevertheless, in order to save costs, two alternative experiments were carried out. The first experiment consisted in establishing a radio link with two LEO satellites: The International Space Station (ISS) and the SERPENS cubesat [12]. The rationale behind is that LEO satellites may be a good alternative to traditional commercial Iridium or Inmarsat satellites, since LEO satellites may offer a long-range data communication system at no cost.…”

A Deep Learning Method to Accelerate the Disaster Response Process

“…It is expected that more than 8500 smallsats (i.e., less than 500 Kgr) will be launched in the next decade alone, at an average of more than 800 satellites per year, and the constellations will account for 83% of the satellites to be launched by 2028 [1], thus providing multiple full-global coverage on a daily basis. These satellites can be tasked to collect and deliver data within a matter of hours [2] or even develop constellations that will be anticipating natural disasters in order to mitigate their effects [3]. This proliferation of earth-observing systems broadens the sensing characteristics and capabilities, as well as the global coordination of Earth Observation (EO) sensors.…”