INTEGRATED ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR IMAGING MICROSATELLITES

• US 20140015970A1
• Filed: 07/05/2013
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Planet Labs PBC
• Original Assignee: Skybox Imaging, Inc. (Planet Labs PBC)
• Inventors: do Carmo Miranda, Henrique
• Granted Patent: US 9,013,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1021 Earth observation satellites
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/222 for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/66 Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/08 Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof collapsible loop antennas H01Q7/02; means for collapsing H-antennas or Yagi antennas H01Q19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/288 Satellite antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/10 using reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/005 using at least one opto-electrical conversion device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

Examples of imaging microsatellites are described that have an imaging system and antenna system disposed within the microsatellite body when the microsatellite is in a non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not impact, contact, or displace the imaging system when the microsatellite is in the non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not contact or impact the body of the microsatellite or any other structure when the microsatellite transitions to a deployed state. The antenna system can be configured to achieve a desired gain and/or data transmission rate by adjusting properties of the antenna system based on the radiation pattern of an antenna feed and geometric constraints imposed by the imaging system. Examples of methods for designing such imaging microsatellites are provided.

Claims

1. An imaging microsatellite having an integrated antenna system, the microsatellite comprising:

a body comprising a plurality of surfaces forming an interior cavity and an opening in the body;

a door attached to at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the door comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, the door movable from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position the door covers the opening and in the open position the door uncovers the opening;

an imaging system disposed within the interior cavity of the body of the microsatellite, the imaging system configured to image a field of view through the opening when the door is in the open position;

wherein the integrated antenna system is configured to;

fit within the interior cavity without coming into contact with the imaging system when the door is in the closed position; and

move with the door through the opening in an unobstructed manner when the door moves from the closed position to the open position.