Optimal decision making in designing an Earth observation mission with considering the technical challenges of the platform and the impossibility of injection into the sun-synchronous orbit

This paper deals with the problem of optimal selection of orbital parameters for an Earth observation mission in the absence of the possibility of injection into sun-synchronous orbit by considering the requirements and limitations of the mission and the satellite platform. By modeling the existing relationships between each of the three areas of orbit, mission and platform, the effects of changes in each of the parameters have been analyzed and tracked. One of the important advantages of the proposed solution is that in the process of optimal selection of relevant parameters, all aspects of the orbit, mission and platform are considered simultaneously. This, in turn, can lead to an implementable and operational option for accomplishing the mission. In evaluation of effects of changing orbital parameters on the mission characteristics and requirements of the satellite platform, a developed computer code has been used.