A review of research on the development of low-orbit Internet constellations

Abstract

In recent years, with the surge in Internet users, innovative companies such as SpaceX and OneWeb have planned to build low-orbit Internet constellations, triggering a global boom in the development of low-orbit satellite Internet constellations. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the development of low-orbit Internet constellations at home and abroad and the technical difficulties currently faced by low-orbit Internet constellations in their development. This paper first introduces three representative low-orbit Internet constellation plans abroad (Starlink, OneWeb, Lightspeed) and the latest development of domestic constellations. Then, based on the characteristics of low-orbit Internet constellations, the five major technical challenges faced by low-orbit Internet constellations are analyzed in detail: constellation relative motion evolution prediction, constellation autonomous navigation and orbit determination, constellation variable path planning, constellation self-organization collaborative control, constellation communication and network services. Finally, based on the current development trend of low-orbit Internet constellations, suggestions are given for the development of low-orbit Internet constellations in my country based on my country's national conditions.