Optimized orbits for the constellation of Space Station polar platforms

The orbital configuration of the Eos polar-platform constellation is examined to determine if baseline orbital parameters are appropriately specified to meet the mission task of measuring global oceanic mesoscale variability. Using the Nyquist sampling theorem, spatial and temporal measurement requirements are first established for the constellation. Based upon these requirements, the optimum solution indicates that a total of five spacecraft equipped with nadir-pointing altimeters, or two multibeam-equipped platforms, would be required to meet the mesoscale mapping task. Additional analyses were performed on both one- and and two-platform configurations as well as the complete four-platform Eos constellation. The results of these calculations show that the preferred scenario would be to equip all four Eos polar platforms with multibeam altimeters.