Direct broadcast imaging satellite system apparatus and method for providing real-time, continuous monitoring of Earth from geostationary Earth orbit

• US 6,504,570 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astrovision International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Astrovision International Incorporated
• Inventors: LeCompte, Malcolm A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US09/991,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.718, 348/144, 348/149, 348/208, 348/211
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/025 by scanning the object

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for collecting an distributing real-time, high resolution images of the Earth from GEO include an electro-optical sensor based on multi-megapixel two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) arrays mounted on a geostationary platform. At least four, three-axis stabilized satellites in Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) provide worldwide coverage, excluding the poles. Image data that is collected at approximately 1 frame/sec, is broadcast over high-capacity communication links (roughly 15 MHZ bandwidth) providing real-time global coverage of the Earth at sub-kilometer resolutions directly to end users. This data may be distributed globally from each satellite through a system of space and ground telecommunication links. Each satellite carries at least two electro-optical imaging systems that operate at visible wavelengths so as to provide uninterrupted views of the Earth'"'"'s full disk and coverage at sub-kilometer spatial resolutions of most or selected portions of the Earth'"'"'s surface.

Claims

1. An imaging system configured to be deployed on a satellite in geostationary orbit, comprising:

an image sensor configured to be positioned toward Earth when in geostationary orbit and configured to produce data of a first image frame and a second image frame of at least a portion of a surface of the Earth, said image sensor configured to capture the first image frame in not more than 1 second, and capture the second image frame in not more than one second; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the data for the first image frame to a remote location within two minutes of being captured by the image sensor so that the first image may be viewed at said remote location, and said transmitter being configured to transmit the data for the second image frame to the remote location within two minutes of being captured by the image sensor so that the second image may be viewed at the remote location within two minutes of being captured, wherein

said first image frame and said second image frame having respective resolutions that correspond with an image at nadir having at least a 500 m resolution when said satellite is positioned in geostationary orbit.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein:

said first image frame and said second image frame are part of a series of image frames that are configured to be viewed at said remote location as a mosaic of at least a portion of the surface of the Earth.

3. The imaging system of claim 2, wherein:

said mosaic being a full disk mosaic of a visible portion of said surface of the Earth, as viewed by said image sensor from said geostationary orbit. said image sensor includes a focal plane array.

4. The imaging system of claim 3, wherein:

said focal plane array includes a charge coupled device having at least 2048×

2048 elements.

5. The imaging system of claim 4, wherein:

said charged coupled device includes at least 4096×

4096 elements.

6. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising:

an optics subsystem configured to adjust a field of view of said image sensor.

7. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein:

said field of view of said image sensor is set to capture human activity on Earth.

8. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said image sensor is configured to capture said first image frame and said second image frame at a predetermined temporal resolution so as to enable observation at said remote location of said human activity as the human activity evolves.

9. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes an explosion.

10. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a fire.

11. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a light at night.

12. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes re-entry into Earth'"'"'s atmosphere of a space craft.

13. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a contrail of an aircraft.

14. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes movement of a maritime vessel.

15. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein:

said field of view of said image sensor is set to capture transient phenomena on Earth.

16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes biomass burning.

17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes storm system movement.

18. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes a forest fire.

19. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes color changes of biomass.

20. The imaging system of claim 19, wherein:

said color changes of biomass includes seasonally induced color changes.

21. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein:

said image sensor and said optics subsystem are configured to provide said first image frame and said second image frame with a resolution in an inclusive range of 500 m through 375 m.

22. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said image sensor is configured to populate said first image frame with image data of a first color, and said second image frame with image data of a second color.

23. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second image sensor having a poorer resolution than the at least 500 m resolution exhibited by the image sensor used to provide data to the first image frame and the second image frame.

24. A method for capturing and distributing image data from geostationary orbit, comprising steps of:

forming a first image frame and a second image frame of at least a portion of a surface of Earth, including

forming the first image frame and the second image frame at a frame rate of 1 second per frame or faster, and

forming the first image frame and the second image frame with respective resolutions equating to 500 m or better if taken at nadir;

producing data for the first image frame and the second image frame; and

transmitting the data to a remote location.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

said first image frame and said second image frame are part of a series of image frames that are configured to be viewed at said remote location as a mosaic of at least a portion of the surface of the Earth.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said mosaic being a full disk mosaic of a visible portion of said surface of the Earth, as viewed by said image sensor from said geostationary orbit.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

adjusting a field of view of said image sensor with an optics subsystem.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein:

the steps of forming the first image frame and forming the second image frame include capturing data indicative of human activity on Earth.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said capturing step includes capturing said first image frame and said second image frame at a predetermined temporal resolution so as to enable observation at said remote location of said human activity as the human activity evolves.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes an explosion.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a fire.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a light at night.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes re-entry into Earth'"'"'s atmosphere of a space craft.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes a contrail of an aircraft.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein:

said human activity that is observable and captured by said image sensor in said first image frame and said second image frame includes movement of a maritime vessel.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein:

said adjusting step includes setting said field of view so as to capture transient phenomena on Earth.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes biomass burning.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes storm system movement.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes a forest fire.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein:

said transient phenomena includes color changes of biomass.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein:

said color changes of biomass includes seasonally induced color changes.

42. The method of claim 27, wherein:

said image sensor and said optics subsystem are configured to provide said first image frame and said second image frame with a resolution in an inclusive range of 500 m through 375 m.

43. The method of claim 24, wherein:

said step of forming a first image frame and a second image frame of at least a portion of a surface of the Earth includes

populating the first image frame with image data of a first color and said second image frame with image data of a second color.

44. The method of claim 24, further comprising a step of:

forming another set of image data with a second image sensor having a poorer resolution than the at least 500 m resolution exhibited by the image sensor used to provide data to the first image frame and the second image frame.

45. An imaging system configured to be deployed on a satellite in geostationary orbit, comprising:

means for forming a first image frame and a second image frame of at least a portion of a surface of Earth, including

means for forming the first image frame and the second image frame at a frame rate of 1 second per frame or faster, and

means for forming the first image frame and the second image frame with respective resolutions equating to 500 m or better if taken at nadir;

means for producing data for the first image frame and the second image frame; and

means for transmitting the data to a remote location.