Space Occupancy in Low-Earth Orbit

With the upcoming launch of large constellations satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) region, it will become important to organize physical space occupied by different operating order minimize critical conjunctions and avoid collisions. This paper introduces definition occupancy as domain an individual satellite moves along its nominal under effects environmental perturbations throughout a given interval time. After showing that for zonal problem is intimately linked concept frozen orbits proper eccentricity, initial conditions are provided osculating element frozen-orbit polar equation obtained describe region closed analytical form. Next, minimizing analyzed realistic model including tesseral harmonics, third-body perturbations, solar radiation pressure, drag. The corresponding conditions, leading minimum (MiSO) orbits, numerically set representative configurations LEO. implications use MiSO optimize design mega-constellations discussed.