Synthesis array RF imaging detectors in LEO formation flying satellites

The formation topologies of low Earth orbiting satellites, each with sensitive antennas and
electronics on-board, that result in an RF imaging optimized sparse array deployed for Earth
observations, with adaptive attributes such as reconfigurability and scalability for
variable scene dynamics and orbital parameters are reported in this work. The choice of
orbital parameters is driven by RF imaging requirements such as instantaneous field of view,
surface brightness sensitivity, and spatial resolution in the radio maps. Factors that
influence the satellite formation such as orbital perturbative forces, guidance, navigation
and control are also investigated here, in a study that aims at developing a fast re-visit,
stand-off, space-based remote sensing, detection and mapping platform for terrestrial
nuclear events.