Cloud mask data acquisition and distribution using geosynchronous communications or broadcast satellites

• US 10,230,454 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2016
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxar Space LLC (Galileo Parent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Space Systems/Loral Incorporated (Loral Space and Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gill, Jared Kauffman, Munir, Saghir
• Primary Examiner(s): Solinsky, Peter G
• Application Number:
  US15/247,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20180062735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 370329
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18519 Operations control, administration or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20

Abstract

Cloud mask image data is obtained by a secondary imaging payload disposed on a communications or broadcast satellite operating in geosynchronous orbit. The obtained cloud mask image data is provisioned for use, in near real time, by one or more low earth orbit imaging satellite systems. Provisioning the obtained cloud mask image data may include collecting the data on the ground and making it available to one or more operators of the one or more LEO imaging satellite systems and/or transmitting the data from the communications or broadcast satellite to at least one spacecraft in the one or more LEO imaging satellite systems.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

Obtaining cloud mask image data from a secondary imaging payload disposed on a communications or broadcast satellite operating in a geosynchronous orbit, the cloud mask image data including real time cloud location data for look ahead tasking of assets within one or more low earth orbit (LEO) imaging satellite systems; and

Provisioning the obtained cloud mask image data such that the obtained cloud mask image data is available in near real time to the one or more LEO imaging satellite systems;

wherein the satellite includes a primary payload subsystem directed toward one or both of communications and broadcast services and a power subsystem configured to provide 10 KW or more of DC power to the primary payload subsystem; and

provisioning the obtained cloud mask image data includes one or both of (a) collecting the data on the ground and making it available to one or more operators of the one or more LEO imaging satellite systems, and (b) transmitting the data from the communications or broadcast satellite to at least one spacecraft in the one or more LEO imaging satellite systems.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the data from the communications or broadcast satellite to the at least one spacecraft includes using an inter-satellite link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein provisioning the obtained cloud mask image data includes transmitting the data from the communications or broadcast satellite to a gateway.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein transmitting the data from the communications or broadcast satellite to the gateway includes overlaying the data onto an existing telemetry downlink.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary imaging payload is a steerable camera.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the steerable camera includes a charge coupled device image sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications or broadcast satellite has a dry mass and a rated power, and the secondary imaging payload comprises less than 5% of the dry mass, and less than 5% of the rated power.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications or broadcast satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit.

9. A satellite configured for operation in geosynchronous orbit, the satellite comprising:

a primary payload subsystem directed toward one or both of communications and broadcast services;

a power subsystem configured to provide 10 KW or more of DC power to the primary payload subsystem; and

a secondary imaging payload configured to obtain cloud mask image data, the cloud mask image data including real time cloud location data;

wherein;

the satellite is configured to forward the obtained cloud mask image data in near real time to one or more low earth orbit imaging (LEO) imaging satellite systems.

10. The satellite of claim 9, wherein the satellite is configured to forward the obtained cloud mask image data by transmitting the data to at least one spacecraft in a LEO imaging satellite system.

11. The satellite of claim 9, wherein the satellite is configured to forward the obtained cloud mask image data by transmitting the data to a gateway.

12. The satellite of claim 11, wherein transmitting the data to the gateway includes overlaying the data onto an existing telemetry downlink.

13. The satellite of claim 9, wherein the secondary imaging payload is a steerable camera.

14. The satellite of claim 13, wherein the steerable camera includes a charge coupled device image sensor.

15. The satellite of claim 9, wherein the satellite has a dry mass and a rated power, and the secondary imaging payload comprises less than 5% of the dry mass, and less than 5% of the rated power.

16. The satellite of claim 9, wherein the satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit.

17. A system comprising:

a gateway; and

a satellite, the satellite being configured for operation in geosynchronous orbit and including

a primary payload subsystem directed toward one or both of communications and broadcast services;

a power subsystem configured to provide 10 KW or more of DC power to the primary payload subsystem; and

a secondary imaging payload configured to obtain cloud mask image data, the cloud mask image data including real time cloud location data;

wherein;

the satellite is configured to forward the obtained cloud mask image data in near real time to one or more low earth orbit imaging (LEO) imaging satellite systems by transmitting the data to the gateway.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein transmitting the data to the gateway includes overlaying the data onto an existing telemetry downlink.