Survivability Model of LEO Satellite Constellation Based on GERT with Limited Backup Resources

Abstract

Survivability is used to evaluate the ability of the satellite to complete the mission after failure, while the duration of maintaining performance is often ignored. An effective backup strategy can restore the constellation performance timely, and maintain good network communication performance in case of satellite failure. From the perspective of network utility, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation survivable graphical evaluation and review technology (GERT) network with backup satellites is constructed. A network utility transfer function algorithm based on moment generating function and Mason formula is proposed, the network survivability evaluation models of on-orbit backup strategy and ground backup strategy are established. The survivable GERT model can deduce the expected maintenance time of LEO satellite constellation under different fault states and the network utility generated during the state maintenance period. The case analysis shows that the proposed survivable GERT model can consider the satellite failure rate, backup satellite replacement rate, maneuver control replacement ability and life requirement, and effectively determine the optimal survivable backup strategy for LEO satellite constellation with limited resources according to the expected network utility.