An orbit maneuver strategy for the satellite based on evaluating the pregnable area of incoming kinetic kill vehicle

To solve the problem of terminal defense of the satellite against an incoming kinetic kill vehicle in head-on interception, an orbit maneuver strategy for the satellite is proposed. First of all, the concept of pregnable area of kinetic kill vehicle (KKV) is defined, and the characteristics of the pregnable area are analyzed. A brief method is presented to evaluate KKV's pregnable area. Further more, on the basis of analysis of the influence of satellite's orbit maneuver on the KKV's pregnable area, an orbit maneuver strategy for the satellite is proposed. Finally, corresponding simulation experiments are carried out. The results of the experiments prove the accuracy of the presented method of evaluating KKV's pregnable area and the effectiveness of the proposed orbit maneuver strategy for the satellite. In a word, the following conclusion can be obtained: for the satellite out of the unescapable circle and in KKV's pregnable area, the proposed maneuver strategy can assure the satellite to successfully avoid direct hit by the incoming KKV; for the satellite in the unescapable circle, the proposed maneuver strategy can assure the satellite escape with the most success probability.