Walker constellation

A Walker constellation is characterised by the notation i:t/p/f where i is the inclination; t is the total number of satellites; p is the number of equally spaced planes; and f is the relative spacing between satellites in adjacent planes, such that the change in true anomaly (in degrees) for equivalent satellites in neighbouring planes is equal to f*360/t.

Walker delta constellation, with [i: t/p/f] = [98.5 deg : 21/3/1]

Usually there are two types of Walker constellations:

  • Delta: Orbit planes are evenly distributed over the full 360 degree range of Right Ascension
  • Star: Orbit planes are evenly distributed over 180 degree range of Right Ascension

The following parameters are required:

Satellites count (t)

Total number of satellites (t in the t/p/f notation). SaVoir will distribute the satellites equally in the defined number of planes. Therefore t must be necessarily a multiple of p. If not, SaVoir will fall-back the closest multiple below t, e.g. t/p = 20/3 will fall back to 18/3.

 

Planes count (p)

Number of orbit planes

 

Phasing parameter (f) It describes the relative angular spacing between satellites in adjacent planes, such that the change in true anomaly (in degrees) for equivalent satellites in neighbouring planes is equal to f*360/t

 

Semi-major axis and Maximum orbit height

Semi-major axis for all the satellites in the constellation. Both Semi-major axis and maximum orbit height are linked. If you change one, the other will change consequently.

 

Eccentricity

Eccentricity for all the satellites in the constellation. Usually keep zero for circular orbits

 

Inclination (i)

Inclination for all the satellites in the constellation.

 

Arg.Perigee

Argument of perigee for all satellites in the constellation. Usually left to 270 degrees or 90 degrees

 

RAAN spread

It defines the range of RAAN values for the orbit planes. Select 360 degrees for a Walker Delta, or 180 degrees for a Walker Star. For example a 3 plane constellation will have planes at 0 , 120 and 240 of RAAN in a Walker Delta, and 0, 60 and 120 in a Walker Star. You may select other values of RAAN spread to create custom constellations.

 

Epoch

Common epoch time for all the constellation orbits

 

 

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