Orbit Optimization for Future Satellite Gravity Field Missions: Influence of the Time Variable Gravity Field Models in a Genetic Algorithm Approach

Many studies in the past have discussed potential orbit configurations of future satellite gravity missions. Most of those works have targeted orbit optimization of the satellite missions of the next generation in the so-called Bender formation. The studies have investigated the impact of the Keplerian orbital parameters, especially the influence of the repeat orbits and mission altitude of both satellite pairs and the inclination of the second pair in Bender formation on the satellite configurations’ gravity field recovery quality performance.