Comparison between several satellite constellation schemes for MEO-TDRSS of China*

The satellite constellation classes, which are suitable for the medium earth orbit tracking and data relay satellite system (MEO-TDRSS) of China, are investigated. On the basis of the functionality and the traffic distribution characteristic of MEO-TDRSS, the coverage performance and inter-satellite link properties of four different constellation schemes are compared by simulations. Simulation results indicate that the rosette and common-track constellations, whose satellites are distributed on the celestial sphere more uniformly, are appropriate for the implementation of MEO-TDRSS of China.