Implementation of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Constellation Design
Abstract
The increasing utilization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites necessitates accessible and accurate design tools that can serve as alternatives to expensive professional software. This project addresses this need by developing a comprehensive web-based application for LEO satellite orbit design. The application integrates several key functionalities, including orbit propagation, constellation design for both Train and Walker-Delta configurations, coverage analysis, and link budget calculations, all enhanced with interactive 2D and 3D visualizations. The application underwent rigorous validation against theoretical calculations and NASA's General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), confirming high accuracy across all modules. The orbit propagation module demonstrated an error of less than 0.78 km over a one-hour simulation, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 31.8 km when compared to GMAT's numerical integrator. Constellation placement for both Train and Walker-Delta configurations showed zero positional error. Coverage calculations were accurate to within 0.05 km at an altitude of 2,000 km. Furthermore, the link budget analysis achieved perfect correspondence with manual calculations, showing a 0.00 dB difference and yielding an uplink margin of 31.87 dB and a downlink margin of 18.76 dB. Predictions for ground station access precisely matched theoretical schedules, with 11 passes in 24 hours and an average duration of 8.55 minutes. User interface testing resulted in a 100% success rate. This application successfully bridges the gap between complex professional software and educational needs by providing a validated, reliable, and accessible tool for the preliminary design of LEO satellite missions. It meets all project objectives by combining high computational accuracy, comprehensive features, and cost-free web-based accessibility, thereby making satellite orbit design more approachable for educational purposes and initial technical assessments.
Keywords: LEO, Satellite Orbit Design, Constellation, Orbit Simulation, Link Budget, Web Application
References
J. T. J. Penttinen, “The telecommunications handbook engineering guidelines for fixed, mobile and satellite systems,” 2015.
H. Fenech, “High-throughput satellites,” 2021.
V. Mancuso. (2005) Mobile Broadband over Satellite: From Geostationary to Low-Earth-Orbit. [Online]. Available: https://www-sop.inria.fr/members/Vincenzo.Mancuso/MBB05.pdf
E. Lagunas, S. Chatzinotas, K. An, and B. F. Beidas, Non-geostationary satellite communications systems edited by Eva Lagunas, Symeon Chatzinotas, Kang An, Bassel F. Beidas. Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2023.
T. Cheng, T. Duan, and V. Dinavahi, “Real-time cyber-physical digital twin for low earth orbit satellite constellation network enhanced wide-area power grid,” IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society, 2024.
T. S. Fatemi, A. Sharma, and A. Kashfi, “Space debris mitigation for leo satellite constellations: A survey,” IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 150–176, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10338304
C. Han, Z. Cao, Z. Liu, Y. Zhang, J. Chen, X. Wang, M. Sun, L. Huang, P. Sun, and J. Li, “Leo satellite-terrestrial integrated networks for low-latency and high-reliability communications,” IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 68–75, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9985920
A. Ghorbanpoor, Z. Talebi, M. Shakeri, and A. Haghpanah, “The Attitude and Orbit Control System of a Low Earth Orbit Satellite,” 2012 IEEE International Conference on Control System, Computing and Engineering, pp. 282–286, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6211833
R. Cochetti, “Mobile satellite communications handbook.”
J. Kramer and J. D’Souza, “High-performance computing for space mission simulation,” 2013 International Conference on High Performance Computing and Simulation (HPCS), pp. 568–574, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6641477
J. Lee, B. Kim, M. Jang, and W. Jung, “A satellite payload data management system based on nosql database,” 2016 International Conference on Information and Communication Technology Convergence (ICTC), pp. 1098–1100, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7537951
H. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Wu, and Y. Wu, “Real-time 3d satellite tracking and visualization system based on webgl,” 2019 IEEE 4th International Conference on Computer and Communication Systems (ICCCS), pp. 681–686, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8821415
M. M. Richardson and R. Antunes, “A python-based orbital mechanics and space operations simulation environment,” 2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference, pp. 1–10, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7521783
T. H. Cormen, C. E. Leiserson, R. L. Rivest, and C. Stein, Introduction to Algorithms, 3rd ed. MIT Press, 2009.
A. Dix, J. Finlay, G. Abowd, and R. Beale, Human-Computer Interaction, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, 2004.
“ITU Radio Regulations,” International Telecommunication Union, 2020, ITU-R Radio Regulations, Volume 1: Articles. [Online]. Available: https://www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, “Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines,” 2007, A/62/20. [Online]. Available: https://www.unoosa.org/pdf/publications/ST SPACE 49E.pdf
F. R. Hoots and R. L. Roehrich, “Spacetrack report no. 3 models for propagation of norad element sets,” 1980.
X. Meng, Y. Zhou, and H. Lei, “A survey on low earth orbit satellite constellations: From historical development to future challenges,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 55 502–55 524, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10129202
“Stk level 1 and level 2 training manual,” 10 2024.
G. . Tucson, “General mission analysis tool (gmat) user’s guide,” 7 2007.
D. Vallado, “Fundamentals of astrodynamics and applications change summary,” 2000.
O. Montenbruck and E. Gill, “Satellite orbits satellite orbits models methods applications,” 2000.
H. D. Curtis, Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, 3rd ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2010.
C. E. Shannon, “A mathematical theory of communication,” pp. 623–656, 10 1948.
CableLabs, “Data-over-cable service interface specifications docsis ® 4.0 physical layer specification,” 8 2019. [Online]. Available: http://www.cablelabs.com/certqual/trademarks.
“Ieee standard for air interface for broadband wireless access systems,” IEEE Std 802.16-2017 (Revision of IEEE Std 802.16-2012), pp. 1–2726, 2018.
J. G. Proakis and M. Salehi, Digital communications. McGraw-Hill, 2008.
N. Jeyanthi and N. C. S. N. Iyengar, “An entropy based approach to detect and distinguish ddos attacks from flash crowds in voip networks,” pp. 257–269, 2012.
[30] M. Siddiqi, X. Yu, and J. Joung, “5g ultra-reliable low-latency communication implementation challenges and operational issues with iot devices,” Electronics, vol. 8, p. 981, 09 2019.
“Ieee standard for information technology–telecommunications and information exchange between systems - local and metropolitan area networks–specific requirements - part 11: Wireless lan medium access control (mac) and physical layer (phy) specifications,” IEEE Std 802.11-2020 (Revision of IEEE Std 802.11-2016), pp. 1–4379, 2021.
“Ieee standard for ethernet,” IEEE Std 802.3-2018 (Revision of IEEE Std 802.3-2015), pp. 1–5600, 2018.
ATSC, “Atsc standard: Program and system information protocol for terrestrial broadcast and cable,” 8 2013.
“Ieee standard for local and metropolitan area networks–port-based network access control,” IEEE Std 802.1X-2020 (Revision of IEEE Std 802.1X-2010 Incorporating IEEE Std 802.1Xbx-2014 and IEEE Std 802.1Xck-2018), pp. 1–289, 2020.
“Ieee standard for local and metropolitan area networks-media access control (mac) security,” IEEE Std 802.1AE-2018 (Revision of IEEE Std 802.1AE 2006), pp. 1–239, 2018.
K. I., L. Tingye, and W. A., “Optical fiber telecommunications v a.” [Online]. Available: www.Technicalbookspdf.com
Y. Zhang, P. Zhang, B. Wu, P. Wang, and Y. Zhang, “Combining GPS, BeiDou, and Galileo Satellite Systems for Time and Frequency Transfer,” Remote Sensing, vol. 10, p. 324, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/10/2/324
A. Clarke, “Extra-terrestrial relays,” ELECTRONICS WORLD, vol. 119, pp. 14–+, 04 2013.
NASA. Syncom 3. [Online]. Available: https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-047A
——. (2020) The James Webb Space Telescope: Mission Overview and Status. [Online]. Available: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20200001556/downloads/20200001556.pdf
J. R. Strouse and R. A. Reppucci, “Advanced Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance for the U.S. Military,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 56–61, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7521711
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society. (2023) Data Science Advancements for Earth Vision, Remote Sensing and Radiosciences. [Online]. Available: https://www.grss-ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cfpData-Science-Advancements-for-Earth-Vision-Remote-Sensing-and-Radiosciences.pdf
B. Wang, S. Zhao, Q. Chen, and P. Liu, “Payload performance and technology on a satellite platform,” 2008 IEEE International Conference on Information and Automation, pp. 245–248, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4688944
N. Kumar and V. Kumar, “A Review of Satellite Communication Frequency Bands and Their Applications,” 2019 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Communication, Computer and Optimization Sciences (ICEECOS), pp. 250–255, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8991404
A. Bhatt, P. Singh, and V. Singh, “On-Board Processing vs. Bent-Pipe: The Evolution of Satellite Communications,” 2013 IEEE Conference on Satellite Communications and Technology, pp. 250–254, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6564619
R. J. Mailloux, “Phased Array Antennas for High-Throughput Satellite Systems,” 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting, pp. 1511–1512, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9082007
J. Evans, J. Salkeld, and T. Nyman, “Ground Station Network for Satellite Operations,” 2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference, pp. 1–12, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7521712
A. Bhatti, M. Khalid, and M. Tahir, “Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Systems: A Review,” 2018 International Conference on Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering (ICEE), pp. 1–6, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8447817
R. Sharma, P. Kumar, and V. Singh, “MEO Satellite Systems for Mobile Broadband Communications,” 2018 International Conference on Telecommunications and Communication Technologies, pp. 22–26, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8447816
R. Mishra, S. Kumar, and A. Sharma, “Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Technology and Applications,” 2018 International Conference on Computing, Communication and Automation (ICCCA), pp. 1–5, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8447815
M. Bhatti, M. Tahir, and M. Khalid, “Remote Sensing Applications in Agriculture: A Review,” 2019 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Communication, Computer and Optimization Sciences (ICEECOS), pp. 250–255, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8991405
H. Yang, J. An, Z. Liu, Z. Xie, J. Wang, Y. Wang, Y. Li, Y. Li, Y. Li, and G. Wang, “Challenges and opportunities of leo satellite networks for 6g and beyond,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 3122–3147, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10006240
Q. An, Y. Jiang, Y. Wang, Z. Chen, and C. Wei, “Cubesat as a platform for space science: A review,” IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 3–13, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8825835
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Space systems – Mitigation of space debris, Std. 24 113, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/71628.html
ITU-R, “Recommendation ITU-R S.435-7: Basic parameters for satellite systems,” 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-S.435-7-201509-I/en
J. Nielsen, Usability Engineering. Academic Press, 1993.
S. Chacon and B. Straub, Pro Git, 2nd ed. Apress, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
Microsoft Corporation, Visual Studio Code Documentation, 2023, accessed: 2025-07-13. [Online]. Available: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs
J. Duckett, Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery Set. Wiley, 2014.
Apache Friends, XAMPP Official Documentation, 2023, accessed: 2025-07-13. [Online]. Available: https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html
Hostinger International Ltd., Hostinger Knowledge Base, 2023, accessed: 2025-07-13. [Online]. Available: https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials
J. D. Hunter, “Matplotlib: A 2D Graphics Environment,” Computing in Science & Engineering, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 90–95, 2007. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4160933
