SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIDESPREAD LOW COST ORBITAL SATELLITE ACCESS

• US 20140222472A1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spire Global Subsidiary, Inc. (Spire Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spire Global, Inc.
• Inventors: Platzer, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,519,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Abstract

A satellite support and administration system includes a web based portal to allow widespread user access to advanced satellite technology at extremely low costs. The system supports the sequential launch of increasingly sophisticated satellites having limited life spans. Each satellite is equipped with a powerful array of sensors for space based measurement of scientifically and commercially important phenomena. A ground based platform supports and encourages the development of software and custom applications to operate experiments utilizing the processors and sensor array on the satellite.

Claims

1. A computer system operable by a user, comprising:

a communication portal accessible by one or more system users for providing information to said users regarding (i) access times for one or more in-orbit satellites;

(ii) one or more sensors available for data collection on said one or more satellites;

(iii) ability to upload applications to one or more user-programmable microprocessors on said one or more satellites; and

(iii) data from said one or more satellites;

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store (i) data collected from said one or more satellites and (ii) information regarding reserving access times for said one or more satellites; and

a computer display connected by said portal to a remote satellite operations server to permit viewing and managing, over the internet, satellite operations in accordance with user selected parameters.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said data from said one or more satellites is spatially and temporally synchronized for ground based storage.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system includes tablets, smartphones and laptop computers.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication portal is internet based and configured to allow said users to adjust the parameters of one or more sensors on said satellite through access with said operations server.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication portal is configured to allow said users to run said one or more applications for managing satellite operations on said one or more satellites.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said users may register with a satellite system administrator over the communication portal for access time to said satellite.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said registration includes paying for a subscription to access at least a portion of the communication portal.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said access time is auctioned to said users on a clearinghouse server that permits bidding for said access time.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein increments of said access time are sold for a price, wherein said price is adjusted based on external events or user demand.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein access to at least part of the data is sold for a fee.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is further programmed to apply analytics to said data.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more of said satellites is replaced by an updated satellite every 6 to 24 months.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a program for use in a space-based orbiting satellite that, when said program is delivered to said satellite executed on a data-processor, causes a satellite data-processor to:

control one or more satellite-based sensors and systems;

collect data generated by said satellite-based sensors for a select period of time based on internet-distributed program time frame access rights to said satellite-based sensors; and

wherein said program is delivered to said satellite based on said access rights.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein said access rights to said satellite-based sensors are provided to one or more users for a fee and said sensors operate to collect spectrum based (IR to UV) electromagnetic data, images and/or video.

15. A satellite internet access support system comprising:

a computer server programmed to permit USER access to a satellite programmed for internet-controlled access to generated data, wherein said data is supplied based on USER internet request to said system administrator; and

said satellite is replaced by an updated satellite every 6 to 24 months.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said USER access to said satellite is provided for a fee.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing data created by a program-controlled space-based satellite sensor, said data comprising:

video, picture, temperature or telemetry data created by said satellite sensor, wherein said sensor is program-controlled and said program is USER selected by Internet access, and further wherein access to said satellite is distributed to a community of USER subscribers, via internet access, for select and defined periods of time.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein said access to said satellite is provided to said subscribers for a fee.

19. A computer-implemented method for creating and collecting data from plural short life satellites, comprising:

a. receiving at said satellites instructions for operating one or more computer, telescope or sensor on said satellites;

b. processing said requests or said satellites and collecting data from said telescope and sensors based on said requests.

c. transmitting said data to one or more ground stations for distribution to one or more system users, where said system users enter said requests through an Internet-based portal for access to a select window of time for said satellites and said satellites are replaced every 6-24 months.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein said access to said select window of time is provided for a fee.

21. A computer based method comprising:

accessing, via a multi-node, user connected computer network, a communication portal, wherein said communication portal is connected to a server and provides information regarding (i) a request for access from one or more users to access one or more sensors available for data collection on one or more satellites; and

(ii) a request to upload applications to one or more user-programmable microprocessors on said one or more satellites;

confirming the authenticity of the request, based on stored access rights information;

transmitting, via the multi-node computer network, based on said request for access time instructions for implementing said request;

storing, in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, information regarding data collected from the one or more satellites based on said request; and

distributing to said user information regarding data collected from said satellites.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of transmitting one or more applications for use in managing satellite operations in accordance with user selected parameters.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of confirming payment of a fee for said access to the one or more satellites.