Open Access

REVIEW

Collision-Free Satellite Constellations: A Comprehensive Review on Autonomous and Collaborative Algorithms

Ghulam E Mustafa Abro^1,*, Altaf Mugheri^2,#, Zain Anwar Ali^3,#

1 Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Aviation and Space Exploration (IRC-ASE), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM), Durian Tunggal, Melaka, 76100, Malaysia
3 Maynooth International Engineering College (MIEC), Maynooth University, Kildare, R51, Ireland

* Corresponding Author: Ghulam E Mustafa Abro. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

Revue Internationale de Géomatique 2025, 34, 301-331. https://doi.org/10.32604/rig.2025.065595

Received 17 March 2025; Accepted 12 May 2025; Issue published 05 June 2025

Abstract

Swarm intelligence, derived from the collective behaviour of biological entities, is a novel methodology for overseeing satellite constellations within decentralized control systems. Conventional centralized control systems in satellite constellations encounter constraints in scalability, resilience, and fault tolerance, particularly in extensive constellations. This research examines the use of swarm-based multi-agent systems and distributed algorithms for efficient communication, collision avoidance, and collaborative task execution in satellite constellations. We provide a comprehensive study of current swarm control algorithms, their relevance to satellite systems, and identify areas requiring further research. Principal subjects encompass decentralized decision-making, self-organization, adaptive communication protocols, and collision-free trajectory planning. The review article examines implementation obstacles, contrasts swarm algorithms with traditional approaches, and delineates potential research avenues to improve the autonomy and efficiency of satellite constellations. The detailed Literature and comparative analysis within this manuscript demonstrate the prospective advantages of swarm intelligence in satellite systems, providing insights for academic researchers and industry personnel alike.

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Keywords

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