Control of the Tandem Configuration Geometry in the Bistatic Interferometric Survey

Abstract

The article considers the problem of controlling the relative motion of spacecraft (SC) flying in tandem for interferometric imaging. The effect of the geometry of the tandem configuration on the value of the effective baseline in constructing a digital elevation model is analyzed taking into account the availability of certain geographic latitudes of the Earth’s surface for radar surveys. Restrictions on the location of operating intervals of the active SC with a transmitting antenna are considered to exclude the possible irradiation of another SC in tandem. The problems of orbit correction for changing the geometry of the tandem configuration are considered. Energy costs are estimated.