Spacecraft position monitoring and control
First Claim
1. A method for updating position data in a non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft, the method comprising:
- generating a position message in a terrestrial source;
providing the position message to a first spacecraft to cause the first spacecraft to generate and provide a response message to the terrestrial source;
processing the response message in the terrestrial source to determine spacecraft position data;
sending the spacecraft position data to the first spacecraft;
determining a location of a second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft; and
providing a navigation message to a navigational aid from the second spacecraft, wherein the navigation message includes an integrity indication based on the location of the second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft when the navigation message is provided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing integrity information from a spacecraft in a non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft. According to one aspect of the present invention, a terrestrial source is provided for generating and providing a position message to a spacecraft in the non-geostationary constellation. The position message causes the spacecraft to generate and provide a response message to the terrestrial source. The response message is processed in the terrestrial source to determine spacecraft position data. The spacecraft position data is then provided to the spacecraft and utilized by the spacecraft and other spacecraft in the constellation to provided integrity information to a navigational aid.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for updating position data in a non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft, the method comprising:
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generating a position message in a terrestrial source;
providing the position message to a first spacecraft to cause the first spacecraft to generate and provide a response message to the terrestrial source;
processing the response message in the terrestrial source to determine spacecraft position data;
sending the spacecraft position data to the first spacecraft;
determining a location of a second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft; and
providing a navigation message to a navigational aid from the second spacecraft, wherein the navigation message includes an integrity indication based on the location of the second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft when the navigation message is provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. The method of claim I wherein the step of providing the position message includes:
providing the position message over a first set of predetermined frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A system for updating position data in a non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft, the station comprising:
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a processing system operable to generate a position message for a spacecraft in the constellation, receive a response message from the spacecraft, and process the response message to generate spacecraft position data for the spacecraft; and
an interface system in communication with the processing system and operable to provide the position message to the spacecraft, receive the response message from the spacecraft and provide the spacecraft position data to the spacecraft. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing navigation information from a spacecraft in a non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft, the method comprising:
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receiving first updated position data in a first spacecraft of the non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft;
determining in a second spacecraft of the non-geostationary constellation of spacecraft, second updated position data based on the first updated position data received in the first spacecraft; and
providing a navigation message to a navigation aid from the second spacecraft, wherein the navigation message includes a first integrity indication based on the location of the second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft when the navigation message is provided. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification