A Genetic Algorithm to Design Satellite Constellations for Regional Coverage

In this paper we propose a meta-heuristic approach to cope with the satellite constellation design for the telecommunication coverage in limited areas (region coverage). A genetic algorithm, supported by a simulation model and a local search optimisation algorithm, generates non-binary chromosomes, each one representing a constellation with a given coverage and a given number of satellites. The algorithm, following a two-objective strategy, attempts to determine Pareto-optimal constellations with respect to minimum number of satellites and region maximal coverage.