For today, development of space systems in different countries is based on the concept of numerous small low-orbit satellites application instead of single heavy-weight vehicles. The concept allows for doing research from the space, using satellites of several tens of kilograms. Clusters of such satellites can provide more efficient and at the same time more cost-effective implementation of space activity missions.
"To ensure the operation of such groups, that may include even several hundred satellites, the fundamentally new opportunities for devices’ information exchange and interaction are needed, so that they can act effectively and even autonomously, make the right decisions, that is, without human participation. We are engaged in the development of such algorithms"- said Oleg Karsaev, Senior Researcher at the St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the SPC RAS structural division).
Oleg Karsaev explained that St. Petersburg scientists have modified the data routing algorithm in space systems, and the information exchange between few satellites for decision – making is built based on it. The algorithm refinement made it possible to simplify the operation of the system and significantly reduced the time required for routing signals between satellites.
"The approach executes the routing problem solution within a few seconds, even for a numerous satellites grouping. For instance, for the group of 600 satellites, the search for routes takes about two seconds"- explained Oleg Karsaev.
Additionally, the SPC RAS professionals have proposed another algorithm that allows to assess quickly whether each particular satellite is able to perform the assigned task. So, the space system will be able to make right decisions independently, with minimal involvement of operators and ground infrastructure.
The St. Petersburg scientists’ research in this direction goes on. One important practical challenge is to determine how real-time communication between remote sensing satellites and ground-based objects can possibly be reached. In turn, this creates fundamentally new opportunities for managing the multi-satellite space systems.
Small satellites, depending on the equipment installed, can be used for various tasks: to provide communication, to probe the Earth's surface, to test various new devices, to collect information on the atmosphere and outer space. At that, the more satellites are put into orbit, the more information scientists will be able to collect and the more accurate results of their work will be.
"The interdisciplinary basis of our research center allows for doing research in a variety of branches, and the developments in the space sphere are of the most importance. The software developed by our scientists can be implemented by weather forecasters, navigation specialists, in agriculture and in other numerous sectors of the Russian economy"- accentuated Andrey Ronzhin, Director of SPC RAS.