Modular Self-Reconfigurable Satellite Inverse Kinematic Solution Method Based on Improved Differential Evolutionary Algorithm

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

-         The manuscript presents the method of applying optimization algorithms to solve the problem of modular self-reconfigurable satellites. Specifically, the problem was built and transformed into an optimization problem from the kinematics and inverse kinematics. Then, a so-called RCDE algorithm, an improved version of the traditional DE, was applied to solve. Its performance was also compared with three other algorithms on CEC functions to confirm its efficiency.

-          The manuscript is well organized and clearly presented. Authors should pay attention to the following minor points to improve the quality of the manuscript:

o   Statistical tests (e.g. Wilcoxon rank-sum test) should be added to ensure the obtained results are statistically significant (in comparing algorithms).

o   In the manuscript, the authors refer to DE as a Swarm Intelligence algorithm. However, in my opinion, DE should be placed in the Evolutionary Algorithms class.

o   The formatting of words (operators) for homogeneity. For example: Rot, Trans in line 161, etc.

o   Missing j in the Eq.26, and jrand in [1,D], not [1,rand] (line 309).

 

o   Add citations about the DE to Sec. 3.1.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The European Union initiated the Modular Spacecraf Assembly and Reconfiguration (MOSAR) under the Horizon 2020 program that was aimed at the development of standardizing satellite components that could be assembled with maximum flexibility to be reconfigured and optimized to meet a wide range of possible needs. This study explores algorithms that could optimize the greatest level of flexibility and the greatest number of redeployable configurations. The perceived problem is that the introduction does not provide examples of the the purpose of this in-orbit flexibility and the actual possible applications. This is important to engaging the reader's interest. 

The reconfiguration algorithms and the results that show the superiority of the RCDE algorithm are clearly explained and results displayed in the graphics presented on page 19 of the article. The missing element is the applications that are possible and the advantages that can be achieved.

Also a list of acronyms used in the article would be beneficial.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf