Enhancing Satellite Constellations with Scalable Network Simulation and Rapid Passive Safety Assessment

This dissertation presents an innovative, scalable framework that integrates realistic network simulation with rapid collision assessment for satellite constellations. A key contribution is the introduction of a novel, rapid passive safety-checking method based on closed-form analysis of relative orbital elements and exact geometric envelopes. By mapping satellite dynamics to the Hill–Clohessy–Wiltshire equations and leveraging analytical solutions to ellipse intersections, this method delivers fast and accurate passive safety analysis. Built on an open-source platform that runs on standard off-the-shelf hardware, the proposed testbed, SpaceNet, enables precise simulation of satellite motion and routing dynamics, supporting scalable evaluations of large-scale systems such as Starlink. Driven by a surge in commercial and military activities, the number of satellites in low Earth orbit is increasing at an unprecedented rate, creating challenges in managing orbital operations and mitigating collision risks. The framework's effectiveness is demonstrated through a case study of the Iridium NEXT constellation, where a spare satellite is maneuvered into a vacant network slot while maintaining safe separation from its neighbors. By integrating highly scalable network simulation with rapid collision prediction, this research provides a comprehensive solution that improves both the safety and operational efficiency of satellite networks in an increasingly congested orbital environment.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Barbour, Bruce Lee

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Schroeder, Kevin Kent
• Black, Jonathan T.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• England, Scott Leslie
• Fitzgerald, Riley McCrea
• Kenyon, Samantha Parry

• Astrodynamics
• constellations
• network simulation
• collision avoidance

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:43194

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/134296