Low Earth Orbit Spacecraft Slotting: Towards an Implementable Proposal

Abstract

The growth in the number of proposed low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites is driven primarily by large commercial communications constellations. The launch of even half of the proposed satellites would result in an order-of-magnitude increase in active spacecraft traffic, with significant implications for LEO operations. This thesis provides a framework for understanding LEO orbital use. Intelligently organizing large constellations to efficiently make use of LEO and avoid hazardous conjunctions between on-station satellites can significantly reduce risk while imposing only a minimal burden on satellite operators. This research demonstrates the design of efficient, mutually compatible orbits and shells, describes analytical tools to assess their benefits, explores trade-offs in policy implementation pathways, and estimates reductions to the collision avoidance burden for operators from the use of cross-operator compatible orbits. The proposed framework supports quantification of the efficiency of orbital shell allocations, the opportunity cost of alternatives, and the amount of remaining uncommitted volume.