Medium earth orbit communication satellite system
First Claim
1. A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation, comprising:
- a first subconstellation comprising a first group of three cross-linked satellites lying in an equatorial plane; and
a second subconstellation comprising a second group of three cross-linked satellites lying in the equatorial plane;
wherein each of the satellites of the first subconstellation is offset from each of two adjacent satellites of the second subconstellation by approximately a same predetermined angle, and wherein each of the satellites of the second subconstellation is offset from each of two adjacent satellites of the first subconstellation by approximately the same predetermined angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation comprising two satellite subconstellations. Each of the two satellite subconstellations comprises three cross-linked satellites. The cross-linked satellites of both subconstellations lay within or near the equatorial plane, and follow a substantially circular orbit. Individual ones of the satellites within each respective subconstellation are offset from each of two adjacent satellites of at least one of the other subconstellations by a predetermined angle. Each of the satellite subconstellations relays communications between a terrestrial node and at least one mission platform in manner that minimizes the number of satellite links necessary for relaying the communications. At least one satellite from each respective subconstellation is always within a view of the terrestrial node.
59 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation, comprising:
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a first subconstellation comprising a first group of three cross-linked satellites lying in an equatorial plane; and a second subconstellation comprising a second group of three cross-linked satellites lying in the equatorial plane; wherein each of the satellites of the first subconstellation is offset from each of two adjacent satellites of the second subconstellation by approximately a same predetermined angle, and wherein each of the satellites of the second subconstellation is offset from each of two adjacent satellites of the first subconstellation by approximately the same predetermined angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for providing a signal between a terrestrial node and at least one mission platform via a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation, comprising the steps of:
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providing the MEO satellite constellation so as to comprise at least a first and a second subconstellation, the first subconstellation comprising at least three cross-linked satellites for relaying signals received by the first subconstellation in a predetermined manner, the second subconstellation comprising at least three cross-linked satellites for relaying signals received by the second subconstellation in a predetermined manner, the cross-linked satellites of both of the first and second subconstellations lying in a same orbital plane; selecting one of the first and second subconstellations which can relay the signal between the terrestrial node and the at least one mission platform in a manner that minimizes a number of satellite cross-links; transmitting the signal from the terrestrial node to the selected one of the subconstellations, the signal carrying at least a downlink command; and based upon the downlink command, downlinking at least a portion of the signal from the selected subconstellation to the at least one mission platform, wherein the orbital plane is an equatorial plane.
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Specification