Technical Design of a Low-Latitude Satellite Constellation for Ocean Observation with a Focus on Hainan Province, China

Acquiring high-quality images from space at low-latitude areas is challenging due to the orbital requirements of the satellites and the frequent cloud coverage. To address this issue, a low-latitude remote sensing satellite constellation-the Hainan Satellite Constellation (HSC)-was conceived with a spatial coverage-priority concept. This constellation integrates sensors with multispectral, hyperspectral, radar, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) capabilities for marine vessels with an onboard image processing technology. The design is tailored to the tropical/subtropical region. Once HSC becomes fully operational, it will provide high-frequency coverage in low-latitude regions, with a primary focus on ocean observations. The first four optical satellites (HN-1 01/02 and WC-1 01/02) were successfully launched in February 2022. They boast unique application characteristics, including satellite networking for ocean observations over large areas, onboard image processing and modeling for ship detection, as well as the synergy of onboard sensors with optical and ship AIS capabilities. This study focuses on the technical design and proposes implementation strategies for HSC, encompassing its technical characteristics, composition, and capacity. Additionally, it explores the construction of this satellite constellation and its uses while providing insights into potential follow-up satellites.