Related papers: The Benefits of Very Low Earth Orbit for Earth Obs…

The rapid increase of space assets represented by small satellites in low Earth orbit can enable ubiquitous digital services for everyone. However, due to the dynamic space environment, numerous space objects, complex atmospheric…

This paper offers a thorough analysis of the coverage performance of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks using a strongest satellite association approach, with a particular emphasis on shadowing effects modeled through a Poisson point…

Space radiation is well-known to pose serious issues to solid-state high-energy sensors. Therefore, radiation models play a key role in the preventive assessment of the radiation damage, duty cycles, performance and lifetimes of detectors.…

Telescope and detector developments continuously enable deeper and more detailed studies of astronomical objects. Larger collecting areas, improvement in dispersion and detector techniques, and higher sensitivities allow detection of more…

This paper examines options for orbit configurations for a space interferometer. In contrast to previously presented concepts for space very long baseline interferometry, we propose a combination of regular and retrograde near-Earth…

This work proposes an adaptation of the Facility Location Problem for the optimal placement of on-orbit servicing depots for satellite constellations in high-altitude orbit. The high-altitude regime, such as Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), is a…

The rapid expansion of mega-constellations in low Earth orbits has posed significant challenges to space traffic management, necessitating periodic inspections of satellites to ensure the sustainability of the space environment when…

In this paper we investigate the opportunities offered by the new Earth gravity models from the dedicated CHAMP and, especially, GRACE missions to the project of measuring the general relativistic Lense-Thirring effect with a new Earth's…

Formation-flying studies to date have required continuous and minute corrections of the orbital elements and attitudes of the spacecraft.This increases the complexity, and associated risk, of controlling the formation, which often makes…

Aims. To better understand the radiation environment in low Earth orbit (LEO), the analysis of in-situ observations of a variety of particles, at different atmospheric heights, and in a wide range of energies, is needed. Methods. We present…

The simulation of the optical turbulence (OT) for astronomical applications obtained with non-hydrostatic atmospherical models at meso-scale presents, with respect to measurements, some advantages. The future of the ground-based astronomy…

With advancements in low-cost launchers and small interplanetary spacecraft, NASA has recognized the potential of small missions to perform focused planetary science investigations at Mars and Venus. The EscaPADE, part of the NASA SIMPLEx…

Space mission design places a premium on cost and operational efficiency. The search for new science and life beyond Earth calls for spacecraft that can deliver scientific payloads to geologically rich yet hazardous landing sites. At the…

Earth's temporarily-captured orbiters (TCOs) are a sub-population of near-Earth objects (NEOs). TCOs can provide constraints for NEO population models in the 1--10-metre-diameter range, and they are outstanding targets for in situ…

Since its inception in the early 2000, the Virtual Observatory (VO), developed as a collaboration of many national and international projects, has become a major factor in the discovery and dissemination of astronomical information…

At sufficiently low frequencies, no ground-based radio array will be able to produce high resolution images while looking through the ionosphere. A space-based array will be needed to explore the objects and processes which dominate the sky…

Increasing our knowledge of the orbits and compositions of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is important for a better understanding of the evolution of the Solar System and of life. The detection of serendipitous NEO appearances among the millions…

Mini-EUSO is a telescope observing the Earth in the ultraviolet band (290-430 nm) since 2019, through a nadir-facing UV-transparent window in the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station. The main camera has an optical…

This paper introduces a novel Monte Carlo (MC) method to simulate the evolution of the low-earth orbit environment, enhancing the MIT Orbital Capacity Analysis Tool (MOCAT). In recent decades, numerous space environment models have been…

Traffic systems are becoming increasingly automated. How will automated objects interact with non-automated objects? How will partially-automated systems handle large disruptions? Low-Earth orbit (LEO) -- filled with thousands of automated…