Distributed Space Missions for Earth System Monitoring

This title analyzes distributed Earth observation missions from different perspectives. In particular, the issues arising when the payloads are distributed on different satellites are considered from both the theoretical and practical points of view. Moreover, the problems of designing, measuring, and controlling relative trajectories are thoroughly presented in relation to theory and applicable technologies. Then, the technological challenges to design satellites able to support such missions are tackled. An ample and detailed description of missions and studies complements the book subject.

Marco D'Errico received a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 1995. Since 2000 he has been associate professor of Space Systems at the Second University of Naples. He is a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics. His fields of activity are mission analysis of Earth observation systems, formation flying, spaceborne synthetic aperture radar, and ship detection by remote sensing data.