Practical horizon plane and communication duration for low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite ground stations
Shkëlzen Cakaj · 2009
Abstract:- Communication via satellite begins when the satellite is positioned in the desired orbital position. Ground stations can communicate with LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites only when the satellite is in their visibility region. The visibility region is in fact the horizon plane. Because of natural barriers or too high buildings in urban areas, practical horizon plane differs from the ideal one. The duration of the visibility and so the communication duration varies for each satellite pass at the ground station, specifically for LEO satellites which do move too fast over the Earth. This paper discusses the satellites motion detection, the difference in between ideal and practical horizon and further the variations of the communication duration between the ground station and LEO satellites. Main objective is determination of practical horizon plane and critical maximal elevation angle related to communication duration. For this paper, data recorded at the Vienna satellite ground station within the Canadian space observation project “MOST ” (Micro variability and