Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1996-09-26
1999-04-06
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
455 121, 455427, B64G 110
Patent
active
058906797
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.
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Barefoot Galen L.
Loral Aerospace Corp.
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