Complimentary retrograde/prograde satellite constellation

Details Complimentary retrograde/prograde satellite constellation Complimentary retrograde/prograde satellite constellation

2006-02-03

2008-05-13

Eldred, J. Woodrow (Department: 3641)

Ordnance

Waging war

C244S158400, C370S316000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07370566

ABSTRACT:
A method for sensing and monitoring ICBM threats using a constellation of earth orbiting satellites. The method includes arranging a first and a second plurality of threat sensing satellites in earth orbit. The first plurality is selected to have a first prograde orbit plane with a first inclination angle between about 30° to 70° with respect to the earth's equator and an Argument of Perigee equal to about 270°. The second plurality is selected to have a first retrograde orbit plane with a second inclination angle between about 110° to 150° with respect to the earth's equator and an Argument of Perigee equal to about 270°. The second inclination angle is selected to be a symmetric conjugate of the first inclination angle. The first and second plurality of threat sensing satellites are distributed respectively within the first prograde and first retrograde orbits with a Walker distribution of T/P/1. Synchronization of a plurality of epochs of the first plurality of satellites with a plurality of epochs of the second plurality of satellites is performed to provide uniform inter-plane satellite spacing for improved monitoring of an ICBM threat.

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