Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1996-11-27
1999-10-26
Mojica, Virna Lissi
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
701 13, 455 131, 342356, B64C 110, H04B 719, H04B 7185
Patent
active
059713240
ABSTRACT:
A multiple altitude satellite relay system is disclosed in which Medium Earth Orbit satellites are continuously linked with at least one geosynchronous satellite to provide uninterrupted relaying of messages and data. The Medium Earth Orbit satellites are synchronized with the geosynchronous satellites to produce continuous links. A parameter to achieve the synchronization involves the positions of the Medium Earth Orbit satellite relays relative to the positions of the geosynchronous satellite relays. Another parameter to achieve synchronization involves the ratio between the orbital periods of the geosynchronous satellite relays relative to the orbital periods of the Medium Earth Orbit satellite relays. These parameters may be further adjusted to provide continuous links above the horizon of the earth. An additional satellite relay system is disclosed in which the high-orbit satellite need not be in geosynchronous orbit and in which a high-orbit satellite communicates over a continuous unbroken link with a low-orbit satellite. A further satellite relay system is disclosed in which more than two satellites are arranged at discrete orbit altitudes, again providing a continuous, unbroken daisy-chain link between satellites.
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Cress Peter H.
Williams Brian R.
Mojica Virna Lissi
TRW Inc.
Yatsko Michael S.
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