Revise README for v4.6 architecture and project details

Updated the README to reflect the v4.6 architecture and enhance clarity on project goals and structure.

Author: bhoefer17

README.md

@@ -1,129 +1,70 @@
-# Sentinel Network
+# Sentinel Network v4.6
 
-Systems-level modeling and simulation of a fault-tolerant Mars orbital relay constellation.
+**Mars Global Monitoring & Infrastructure Constellation**
 
----
-
-## Overview
-
-Future Mars surface operations—human and robotic—will require continuous, low-latency, and resilient communications coverage. Today’s relay architecture relies on a small number of aging orbiters performing multiple roles simultaneously, creating single points of failure and constraining operational scale.
-
-Sentinel Network explores an alternative: a dense, fault-tolerant orbital relay layer designed explicitly as shared infrastructure rather than as a set of multi-mission flagship orbiters. In Sentinel, each satellite functions as a communications node, providing line-of-sight and store-and-forward connectivity between Mars surface assets, orbital users, and Earth relay paths.
-
-This repository contains open simulations and systems-level analyses that evaluate the feasibility, performance, and failure tolerance of such a network.
+A systems-level study of a fault-tolerant, cognitive-sensing orbital constellation designed as shared planetary infrastructure.
 
 ---
 
-## Problem Statement
+## Overview
 
-Mars communications today face several structural limitations:
+Sentinel Network explores a fundamentally different approach to Mars orbital infrastructure: a dense, resilient constellation that combines **global synoptic monitoring** with **onboard cognitive intelligence** to deliver persistent awareness, low-latency decision support, and graceful degradation under failure.
 
-- Reliance on a small number of critical relay assets  
-- Increasing data demand from surface operations  
-- Limited fault tolerance and graceful degradation  
-- Growing latency and availability constraints for autonomous systems  
+Rather than relying on a small number of high-value relay orbiters, Sentinel distributes capability across 168 satellites, each carrying a dual-layer cognitive payload (wide-field global sensors + narrow-field AI-triggered inspection). The system is designed to operate as **planetary infrastructure** — supporting multiple users, missions, and operators over multi-decade lifetimes while maintaining performance even under significant satellite loss.
 
-As surface activity scales, data transport—not sensing or computation—becomes the primary bottleneck.
+This repository contains the open simulations, analyses, and visualizations that define and validate the v4.6 architecture.
 
 ---
 
-## What Sentinel Is
-
-Sentinel Network is a conceptual Mars orbital relay constellation designed around the following principles:
-
-- **Fault tolerance by design**  
-  No single satellite is mission-critical; resilience is achieved at the constellation and network layers.
+## What Sentinel Actually Is
 
-- **Graceful degradation**  
-  Network performance degrades predictably under partial or catastrophic loss, rather than via abrupt service failures.
+- **Dual-layer cognitive payload** on every satellite (global synoptic + AI-gated narrow-field inspection)
+- **Closed-loop autonomy** — onboard AI that detects, classifies, prioritizes, and retasks faster than light time to Earth
+- **Extreme fault tolerance** — graceful degradation even under 75% satellite loss
+- **Long-term infrastructure behavior** — 10+ year power/compute degradation modeling with adaptive modes
+- **Radiation-adaptive intelligence** — AI and sensors intelligently throttle or safe themselves during SEP events
+- **End-to-end latency modeling** — from event on Mars surface to actionable awareness on Earth
 
-- **Infrastructure-first architecture**  
-  A payload-agnostic relay layer that can support multiple missions, operators, and users over time.
-
-- **Scalable deployment**  
-  Constellation sizing and orbital regimes are selected for long operational lifetimes, volumetric efficiency, and compatibility with bulk deployment.
+Sentinel is not just a communications relay. It is a **planetary nervous system** with onboard decision-making capability.
 
 ---
 
-## Key Characteristics (Current Model)
-
-- Constellation size: 168 satellites  
-- Function: Communications and navigation relay  
-- Coverage: Global Mars surface coverage  
-- Performance focus: Revisit time, availability, and resilience under loss  
-- Deployment philosophy: Bulk deployment compatible with high-capacity launch systems, without dependence on a specific launch vehicle  
-- Operational lifetime: Long-duration orbital regimes (multi-decade class)  
+## Key Results (v4.6)
 
-Quantitative performance results and failure-mode analyses are implemented in the simulations and supporting documentation within this repository.
+| Metric                              | Performance                          | Notes |
+|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------|
+| Mean global revisit (nominal)       | ~1.0–1.5 minutes                     | Wide-FOV MARCI-class sensors |
+| Mean global revisit (75% loss)      | Still under 10 minutes               | Extreme resilience demonstrated |
+| End-to-end awareness latency        | Minutes to low hours                 | Even in catastrophic scenarios |
+| Decision/retasking latency          | Seconds (local) to minutes (global)  | Faster than light time |
+| Propulsion-limited lifetime         | 40+ years                            | With conservative margins |
+| Worst-case stacked failure survival | Survives (battery >0%)               | Dust + eclipse + 500× SEP + 43% loss |
 
 ---
 
-## Repository Contents
+## Repository Structure
 
 ```text
 Sentinel-Network/
-├── README.md            — Project overview and context
-├── LICENSE              — MIT License
-├── simulations/         — Coverage, revisit, and loss-tolerance modeling
-├── docs/                — Architecture summary and modeling scope
-│   ├── architecture_summary.md
-│   └── modeling_scope.md
-├── figures/             — Generated plots and constellation visuals
-└── data/                — Constants and reference parameters
-```
-
-This layout separates core simulations, documentation, figures, and reference data to support reproducible analysis and external review.
-
----
-
-## Fault Tolerance Model
-
-Fault tolerance is achieved at the constellation level through redundancy, spatial diversity, and orbital geometry rather than through highly complex, internally fault-tolerant satellites.
-
-Satellite loss—whether isolated, clustered, or catastrophic—is treated as an expected operating condition. Network performance degrades in a predictable and quantifiable manner as nodes are lost, instead of exhibiting sharp thresholds or single-point failures.
-
----
+├── README.md
+├── LICENSE
+├── scripts/                    # Polished analysis scripts
+├── figures/                    # Generated plots and animations
+├── docs/                       # Architecture notes
+└── simulations/                # Original/raw versions + reference files
 
-## Non-Goals
+Core Principles
 
-This project intentionally does **not** attempt to:
+Fault tolerance by design — No single satellite is mission-critical
+Graceful degradation — Performance declines predictably, never catastrophically
+Closed-loop autonomy — Onboard AI makes decisions without waiting for Earth
+Infrastructure-first — Built for long-term, multi-user, multi-mission use
+Conservative modeling — All analyses intentionally use pessimistic assumptions
 
-- Replace high-data-rate science orbiters or flagship missions  
-- Specify detailed RF link budgets, modulation schemes, or hardware designs  
-- Optimize for mission-specific payloads or proprietary architectures  
-- Address surface terminal, user equipment, or ground network implementation details  
-
-The focus is on first-order system behavior, architectural feasibility, and fault-tolerance characteristics.
-
----
-
-## Relationship to Existing Mars Assets
-
-Sentinel Network is intended to complement existing and future Mars orbiters by providing a dedicated, resilient communications infrastructure layer optimized for availability and continuity.
-
-Science orbiters and specialized missions remain responsible for high-value sensing and data generation, while Sentinel provides a persistent relay backbone capable of supporting scaled surface operations and multi-user demand.
-
----
-
-## Project Status
-
-**Active and evolving.** 
-
-- Core simulations: initial set complete  
-- Documentation: in progress  
-- Higher-fidelity modeling: planned  
-- External review, critique, and extension: encouraged  
-
-This repository represents an open systems study, not a finalized design or flight program. 
-
----
-
-## License
-
-This project is released under the MIT License. Reuse, modification, and extension are encouraged with attribution. 
-
----
 
-## Disclaimer
+Project Status
+v4.6 Complete — Full systems-level modeling suite finished.
+This is an open technical study. All scripts, models, and visualizations are released for review, critique, extension, and reuse.
 
-This work is an independent technical exploration. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any space agency or commercial entity.
+License
+MIT License — reuse, modify, and extend freely with attribution.