Remote Reconnaissance For Space Exploration

• US 20160205356A1
• Filed: 01/11/2015
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jr., Kenneth Dean Stephens
• Original Assignee: Jr., Kenneth Dean Stephens
• Inventors: Stephens, Kenneth Dean Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,823,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1035 using radar for mapping, surveying or detection, e.g. of intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/00 Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A system of reconnaissance for the staging of a mission in a target area of a remote location in space is disclosed, including satellite surveillance means; a plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the satellite surveillance means with the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means with at least one base station; and analysis means to analyze video, positional and other data from the target area.

Claims

1. A method of reconnaissance for the staging of a mission in a target area of a remote location in space, comprising:

identifying the target area from an orbiting vehicle;

deploying at least one communication satellite over the target area;

releasing a plurality of surveying devices over the target area ejected by the orbiting vehicle;

activating a plurality of sensors on each of the plurality of surveying devices to collect data;

activating a transceiver on each of the plurality of surveying devices;

transmitting the collected data to the at least one communication satellite;

relaying the collected data from the at least one communication satellite to a base station enabling analysis of the data at the base station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collected data includes still images and video images via a camera and location data via a locator device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the plurality of surveying devices causes a deployment of a parachute tethered to each of the plurality of surveying devices allowing controlled descent of the of the plurality of surveying devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the transceiver enables an exchange of data with at least one other surveying device through a local network via a local network communication device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the local network is configured to create a mesh network interconnection between each of the plurality of surveying devices.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data and commands from the base station via the transceiver.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the orbiting vehicle also serves as a communication satellite.

8. A system of reconnaissance for the staging of a mission in a target area of a remote location in space, including a surveillance means via a plurality of surveying devices released from an orbiting vehicle which identifies a target area for surveillance;

a sensor means on each of the plurality of surveying devices configured to collect data;

a transceiver means on each of the plurality of surveying devices, wherein the transceiver enables data to be transmitted between a communications satellite and the plurality of surveying means;

a communication means on the communications satellite configured to relay the data from the plurality of surveying means to a base station.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor means includes a camera and a location device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the camera collects still and video image data and the location device collects location data of the target area, the image and location data to be transmitted by the communication means.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the surveying means comprises a buoy shaped device wherein a bottom of the surveying means is weighted enabling the surveying device to contact the target area bottom first upon landing.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein release of the plurality of surveying devices causes a deployment of a parachute tethered to each of the plurality of surveying devices allowing controlled descent of the of the plurality of surveying devices.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the bottom of the surveying means includes a plurality of air bags that deploy upon impact.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of surveying devices further comprising a local network communication means enabling establishment of a local network to exchange data between the plurality of surveying devices.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the orbiting vehicle also serves as the communication satellite.

16. An apparatus for remote reconnaissance comprising:

a pole camera including at least one video camera;

a camera mechanism comprising at least one lens and a pan-tilt head which can be operated remotely;

a location device for determining local coordinates of the apparatus and triangulating targets within its range;

a local network communication device to serve as radio node for video, communication and data interchange between the apparatus and other devices at a target area;

a transceiver that exchanges video, communication and location data between the apparatus and an orbiting vehicle; and

a power supply including at least one battery and at least one photovoltaic solar panel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pole camera includes a telescoping pole element that is extended to a maximum length automatically or by a remote command.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is buoy shaped wherein a bottom of the apparatus is weighted enabling the surveying device to contact the target area bottom first upon landing.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a parachute tethered to the apparatus allowing controlled descent of the apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of air bags on the bottom of the apparatus that deploy upon impact.