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Satellite arrangement providing effective use of the geostationary orbit

  • US 4,375,697 A
  • Filed: 09/04/1980
  • Issued: 03/01/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A satellite arrangement comprising:

  • a plurality of controllably maneuverable satellites disposed at a predetermined location of a geostationary orbit;

    said satellites being grouped in assigned positions relative to each other to form a cluster of satellites at said location in a predetermined formation;

    at least one of said satellites being a control satellite and the remainder of said satellites being communications satellites;

    means on said satellites providing communication across links between said satellites for providing intercommunication between said control satellite and each of said communications satellites at selected cross link frequencies;

    means on said control satellite for detecting errors in the position of individual communication satellites relative to said control satellite and for controlling the position of each communication satellite, over said communication cross links, to maintain said predetermined formation;

    communications down link means disposed on said satellites for providing intercommunication with selected earth stations at selected down link frequencies;

    means disposed on said satellites for interconnecting said communications down link means with said communications cross link means, including means for converting between said down link frequencies and said cross link frequencies; and

    means disposed on said control satellite for relaying cross link signals received from one of said communications satellites to selected different ones of said communications satellites.

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