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Coordinatable system of inclined eccentric geosynchronous orbits

  • US 6,126,116 A
  • Filed: 07/21/1998
  • Issued: 10/03/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system of inclined eccentric geosynchronous satellite orbits coordinatable with a geostationary belt of satellite positions having a plurality of geostationary slots, said system comprising:

  • a plurality of satellite positions representing the maximum number of satellites that may be included in the coordinatable system of inclined eccentric geosynchronous satellite orbits to achieve optimum satellite coverage continuously within a specified service area;

    each satellite position being located in one of a plurality of satellite orbits forming one of a plurality of families of satellite orbits;

    each of the plurality of satellite orbits within any one of the plurality of families of satellite orbits defining an orbital plane having a unique inclination with respect to the equatorial plane of the Earth and with respect to the orbital plane of any other one of the plurality of satellite orbits within the same family of satellite orbits, the satellite orbits intersecting the geostationary belt;

    loci of subsatellite points repeatedly traced upon the surface of the Earth by a straight line extending from the center of the Earth to an orbiting satellite position generating an imaginary ground track on the surface of the Earth;

    the ground track traced by orbiting satellite positions within any one of the plurality of families of satellite orbits defining an area therewithin that differs from the area defined within the ground track traced by orbiting satellite positions within any other family of satellite orbits;

    the ground tracks being mutually and generally symmetrically nested about a first longitude of symmetry to form a first set of ground tracks; and

    the satellite positions within each of the plurality of families of satellite orbits being coordinated with each other and being further coordinated with the satellite positions to achieve a specified angular separation between said ground tracks of said satellites occupying the plurality of satellite positions.

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