Optimization of Hybrid Satellite Constellations using Multiple Layers and Mixed Circular-Elliptical Orbits

*† ‡ § ¶ Previous research in satellite constellation designs has focused on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication systems that service a global market of uniform demand. This paper addresses the challenge of designing a hybrid satellite system constellation to meet the emerging satellite broadband market while enabling a phased satellite deployment strategy. The broadband market model developed in the paper highlights the highly non-uniform distribution of traffic that future satellite systems must handle. The proposed solution employs a LEO backbone satellite constellation to capture a fraction of the total market demand with additional elliptical satellite constellations to service areas of high and growing demand. By opening up the tradespace to multiple orbital altitudes (Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, and Geosynchronous Orbit) and both circular and elliptical orbits, this paper will search for a lower cost solution to the broadband communication constellation design problem. Lastly, this paper will introduce a novel visualization of the tradespace using convex hulls and conditional Pareto fronts, which enable instant recognition of the impact of design choices on the final design.