A new approach for designing satellite constellations whereby each
satellite follows a common ground track is being proposed for performing
high-precision change detection imagery for long periods of time. By
precisely prescribing the orbital parameters, i.e., the relationship
between the right ascension of the ascending nodes (RAAN) and the phase
angle difference between successive satellites, for example, sharpened
change detection images may be taken from successive satellites in the
constellation without the need to process out blurring by any special
image re-working software. The relationship between the orbital
parameters of the satellites is precisely tuned to the earth's rotation
rate for the altitude of the satellites. A reduction in the total
satellite count is achievable due to tiling the satellite coverage in
near optimal arrangements. Such high-precision change detection imaging
by successive satellites in orbit around the earth is at least useful in
the detection of underground facilities activities and the detection of
slow moving objects.