A multi-purpose heuristic for communications satellite synthesis

Three satellite system synthesis problems—the satellite location problem, the signal protection problem, and the arc allotment problem—are described and formulated. In each of these problems, satellite administrations are to be allotted some portion of the geostationary orbit for the purpose of deploying their satellites, subject to angle of elevation and electromagnetic interference constraints. A simple heuristic procedure is suggested as a means for solving these three problems. Sufficient conditions for the successful application of the heuristic and solution-value bounds for each problem are presented. The heuristic is applied to each problem for a six-satellite example. Additionally, computational results are presented for an example with 183 satellites worldwide.