Space asset tracker
First Claim
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1. A space asset tracking system, comprising:
- a space asset tag including;
a tag housing; and
a space vehicle tracking system (SVTS) disposed within the tag housing, the SVTS including;
a power supply which exclusively provides electrical power to the SVTS;
a position sensing receiver system (PSRS) configured to detect a position of the SVTS based on PSRS radio signals which are received respectively from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites;
a processing circuit which receives from the PSRS position information specifying at least the position; and
a ground link radio frequency (GLRF) transmitter under the control of the processing circuit;
wherein the processing circuit autonomously (1) uses the PSRS position information to determine a transmission location at which the SVTS is to be when transmitting tracking information to a given station, and (2) causes transmission of the tracking information from the GLRF transmitter when the SVTS is at the transmission location.
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Abstract
Space asset tracking system includes a space asset tag (SAT) disposed in a tag housing. A space vehicle tracking system (SVTS) disposed within the tag housing includes a power supply, a position sensing receiver system (PSRS), and a ground link radio frequency (GLRF) transmitter under the control of a processing circuit. The processing circuit selectively causes the GLRF transmitter to automatically transmit tracking information based on the position information. The system can also include a ground station for receiving the tracking information.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A space asset tracking system, comprising:
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a space asset tag including; a tag housing; and a space vehicle tracking system (SVTS) disposed within the tag housing, the SVTS including; a power supply which exclusively provides electrical power to the SVTS; a position sensing receiver system (PSRS) configured to detect a position of the SVTS based on PSRS radio signals which are received respectively from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites; a processing circuit which receives from the PSRS position information specifying at least the position; and a ground link radio frequency (GLRF) transmitter under the control of the processing circuit; wherein the processing circuit autonomously (1) uses the PSRS position information to determine a transmission location at which the SVTS is to be when transmitting tracking information to a given station, and (2) causes transmission of the tracking information from the GLRF transmitter when the SVTS is at the transmission location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A space asset tracking system, comprising:
a space asset tag including a tag housing; a space vehicle tracking system (SVTS) disposed within the tag housing; the SVTS including a power supply which exclusively provides electrical power to the SVTS; a position sensing receiver system (PSRS) configured to detect a position of the SVTS based on PSRS radio signals which are received respectively from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites; a processing circuit which receives from the PSRS position information specifying at least the position; a ground link radio frequency (GLRF) transmitter under the control of the processing circuit; at least one data storage device in which a ground station database is stored containing information concerning locations of ground stations; at least one PSRS antenna system integrated in or on the tag housing and operatively coupled to the PSRS to facilitate receiving the PSRS radio signals; at least one GLRF antenna system integrated in or on the tag housing and operatively coupled to the GLRF transmitter; wherein the processing circuit autonomously (1) uses the PSRS position information to determine a transmission location at which the SVTS is to be when transmitting tracking information to a given station, and (2) causes transmission of the tracking information from the GLRF transmitter when the SVTS is at the transmission location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification