Method and system for acquiring images via a constellation of observation satellites
First Claim
1. A method for acquiring images using a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous Earth orbit, each satellite comprising an inter-satellite communicator and an observation instrument controlled according to a work plan, the work plan comprising a list of acquisitions to be performed, each satellite being configured to exchange data with any of other satellites of the constellation, directly or via one or more other satellites of the constellation, the method comprising steps of:
- forming an aggregate of work plans intended for different satellites of the constellation;
transmitting, by a ground station, the aggregate of work plans to a satellite of the constellation;
transmitting the aggregate of work plans, by a satellite that received the aggregate of work plans from the ground station, to at least one other satellite of the constellation;
retransmitting the aggregate of work plans by each satellite that received the aggregate of work plan from another satellite to said at least one other satellite of the constellation in response to a determination that the aggregate of work plans comprises a work plan which has not yet been communicated to an intended satellite, said each satellite retrieving an intended work plan for said each satellite from the received aggregate of work plans; and
performing image acquisitions by said each satellite according to the intended work plan for said each satellite extracted from the received aggregate of work plans.
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Abstract
A method for acquiring images using a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous terrestrial orbit. The satellites include respective devices for inter-satellite communication. An aggregate of work plans intended for various satellites is formed. A ground station transmits the aggregate intended for one satellite. The satellite receiving the aggregate retransmits the aggregate intended for at least one other satellite from the ground station. Each satellite receiving the aggregate from another satellite re-transmits the aggregate intended for at least one other satellite. Each satellite recovers its work plan from the aggregate received.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for acquiring images using a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous Earth orbit, each satellite comprising an inter-satellite communicator and an observation instrument controlled according to a work plan, the work plan comprising a list of acquisitions to be performed, each satellite being configured to exchange data with any of other satellites of the constellation, directly or via one or more other satellites of the constellation, the method comprising steps of:
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forming an aggregate of work plans intended for different satellites of the constellation; transmitting, by a ground station, the aggregate of work plans to a satellite of the constellation; transmitting the aggregate of work plans, by a satellite that received the aggregate of work plans from the ground station, to at least one other satellite of the constellation; retransmitting the aggregate of work plans by each satellite that received the aggregate of work plan from another satellite to said at least one other satellite of the constellation in response to a determination that the aggregate of work plans comprises a work plan which has not yet been communicated to an intended satellite, said each satellite retrieving an intended work plan for said each satellite from the received aggregate of work plans; and performing image acquisitions by said each satellite according to the intended work plan for said each satellite extracted from the received aggregate of work plans. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An observation system comprising a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous Earth orbit, each satellite comprising an inter-satellite communicator and an observation instrument and a controller configured to control the observation instrument according to a work plan, the work plan comprising a list of acquisitions to be performed, each satellite being configured to exchange data with any of other satellites of the constellation, directly or via one or more other satellites of the constellation;
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wherein the controller of each satellite is configured to retrieve a work plan intended for said each satellite from an aggregate of work plans received by the inter-satellite communicator of said each satellite, and to retransmit the aggregate of work plans via said inter-satellite communicator in response to a determination that the aggregate of work plan comprises a work plan which has not yet been communicated to an intended satellite of the constellation, and wherein the controller of said each satellite is configured to control the observation instrument to perform image acquisitions according to the work plan intended for said each satellite extracted from the received aggregate of work plans. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification