Simulation-based evaluation of ground station coverage and link availability in a Starlink Gen. 1 Shell 1-like constellation

The rapid deployment of Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations is transforming global communications, offering unprecedented opportunities for high-throughput, low-latency connectivity. This study presents a comprehensive simulation-based evaluation of ground station coverage and link availability in a Starlink Gen1 Shell 1-like constellation using a custom-developed satellite communication simulation framework. We analyze the visibility dynamics of 1584 satellites distributed across 72 orbital planes at 550 km altitude with 53° inclination, evaluated through 37 ground stations positioned along longitude 0° spanning from 90°N to 90°S in 5° increments. Our results demonstrate strong latitude-dependent satellite visibility patterns: polar regions experience no coverage due to orbital inclination constraints, equatorial stations maintain stable but limited visibility (6-10 satellites), while mid-latitude stations achieve optimal redundancy with up to 20 satellites simultaneously visible. Statistical analysis reveals three distinct visibility tiers enabling targeted operational strategies: high-tier stations (≥15 satellites) suitable for heavy-load operations, medium-tier stations (8-14 satellites) providing steady backbone connectivity, and low-tier stations (<8 satellites) requiring enhanced handover management. Temporal analysis shows quasi-periodic oscillations driven by constellation geometry, with peak coverage occurring at specific intervals. Inter-station connectivity analysis demonstrates robust one-hop relaying opportunities through shared satellite visibility, with optimal routing strategies reducing path lengths by up to 2% over short intervals. These findings provide critical insights for constellation design optimization, ground segment placement strategies, and dynamic routing protocols in future LEO-based non-terrestrial networks supporting 5G/6G applications.