Mobile Communications Holdings, Inc.

Virtual Geosatellite LLC

Virtual Geosatellite Holdings, Inc.

David Castiel

John E Draim

Kenneth F Manning

Jay Brosius

Matthew Schor

Jack Anderson

A plurality of satellites are placed into a virtually geosynchronous orbit, in which a first part of the orbit, that is near apogee, has a similar movement to the rotation of the earth, and therefore the orbit appears virtually stationary relative to the earth. Different satellites in the orbit are caused to have specified standardized parameters, and also defined according to an orbital position at a date certain. The different satellites and therefore be assigned to different owners according to these parameters.

Virtually geostationary satellite array with optimized parameters

Shows orbit-constellation of satellites that appears virtually geosynchronous.

Fixed satellite constellation system employing non-geostationary satellites in sub-geosynchronous elliptical orbits with common ground tracks

An array of satellites which is virtually geosynchronous. Each satellite is in an elliptical orbit. The apogee portion of each elliptical orbit is over one of the regions of interest. Each satellite is virtually geosynchronous during its apogee portion, over the region of interest. When it leaves the apogee portion, the satellite goes to another of the regions of interest, and acts virtually geosynchronous over that region.

Elliptical satellite system emulating characteristics of geosynchronous satellites during the apogee portion of an elliptical orbit

An array of satellites virtual forming a geosynchronous space. Communication with the satellites is only carried out during an active arc near the apogee portion. During other points of the satellites orbit, they are inactive. These inactive portions of the satellites orbit include the positions where the satellite communication could conceivably interfere with communications to geosynchronous satellites.

Virtually geostationary satellite array

An elliptical satellite communication system including a constellation of satellites which orbit the earth at a height less than that necessary for geosynchronous orbits but which simulate the characteristics of geosynchronous orbits. The satellites' velocity near the apogee portion of their orbit approximates the rotational velocity of the earth, and during that period appear to hover over the earth. The ground stations on the earth always communicate with a satellite at or near its apogee, and hence that satellite appears to the ground station to hover over the earth. During the times when the satellite is outside the apogee portion, its communication is shut off to prevent any possibility of interfering with geosynchronous satellites and its power supply is used to charge a battery on the satellite. Thus, the power supply of the system can be reduced by an amount equivalent to the percentage of time the satellite is not used.

Elliptical satellite system which emulates the characteristics of geosynchronous satellites

An elliptical satellite system which carries out communication. The satellite orbits a height above the earth less than that necessary for geosynchronous orbits. When the satellite is near the apogee portion of its orbit, its velocity approximates the rotational velocity of the earth, and during that period it appears to hover over the earth. Each ground station on the earth always communicates a satellite within a predetermined position of its apogee, and hence that satellite appears to the ground station to hover over the earth. The satellite hence does not communicate with any earth station when it is outside of that apogee portion. During the times when the satellite is outside the apogee portion, its communication is therefore shut off to prevent.any possibility of interfering with geosynchronous satellites. During this time, the power supply on the satellite is also used to charge a battery on the satellite. This enables the power supply to be made smaller by an amount equivalent to the duty cycle of the satellite: during the time which it is on.

A non-geostationary low earth orbit satellite constellation using elliptical orbits with apogees in the Northern Hemisphere to provide continuous coverage over the Continental United States of America (CONUS), and by extension to the other points in the Northern Hemisphere situated above 25&deg; north latitude. The constellation provides time-continuous visibility with at least one satellite to any point above 25&deg; North latitude. An extension of the constellation has a combination of the elliptical orbits and at least one equatorial orbit to provide virtual global coverage. The distribution of capacity is deployed in proportion to the distribution of populations in the land masses of the earth. Time continuous visibility with at least one satellite is maintained by any point on earth north of the 50&deg; South latitude, with a minimum number of satellites deployed. All, satellites sharing the same orbit, or type of orbit, in the constellations above have the same orbital period, same apogee altitude and same perigee point. For all elliptical orbits in the constellation herein the argument of perigee can be adjusted to provide optimal service to specific regions (CONUS, Northern Europe, etc.)

Non-geostationary orbit satellite constellation for continuous coverage of northern latitudes

An elliptical satellite system which carries out communication. The satellite orbits a height above the earth less than that necessary for geosynchronous orbits. When the satellite is near the apogee portion of its orbit, its velocity approximates the rotational velocity of the earth, and during that period it appears to hover over the earth. Each ground station on the earth always communicates a satellite within a predetermined position of its apogee, and hence that satellite appears to the ground station to hover over the earth. The satellite hence does not communicate with any earth station when it is outside of that apogee portion. During the times when the satellite is outside the apogee portion, its communication is therefore shut off to prevent any possibility of interfering with geosynchronous satellites. During this time, the power supply on the satellite is also used to charge a battery on the satellite. This enables the power supply to be made smaller by an amount equivalent to the duty cycle of the satellite: during the time which it is on.

Telephone booth

An elliptically shaped cellular phone is elliptical in both the front access, the bottom access and the side access. This elliptical shape enables the telephone to be more easily carried in pocket for example. The telephone includes two slidable modules which are string biased relative to one another. Opening the telephone enables answering and closing the telephone enables hanging up. Even when the telephone is closed, however, one part of the keyboard is still accessible. That part of the keyboard can be used to carry out various functions on an incoming call. One function is blocking the call from passing to voice mail.

Portable telephone

A non-geostationary low earth orbit satellite constellation using elliptical orbits with apogees in the Northern Hemisphere to provide continuous coverage over the Continental United States of America (CONUS), and by extension to the other points in the Northern Hemisphere situated above 25.degree. north latitude. The constellation provides time-continuous visibility with at least one satellite to any point above 25.degree. North latitude. An extension of the constellation has a combination of the elliptical orbits and at least one equatorial orbit to provide virtual global coverage. The distribution of capacity is deployed in proportion to the distribution of populations in the land masses of the earth. Time continuous visibility with at least one satellite is maintained by any point on earth north of the 50.degree. South latitude, with a minimum number of satellites deployed. All satellites sharing the same orbit, or type of orbit, in the constellations above have the same orbital period, same apogee altitude and same perigee point. For all elliptical orbits in the constellation herein the argument of perigee can be adjusted to provide optimal service to specific regions (CONUS, Northern Europe, etc.)

Non-geostationary orbit satelite constellation for continuous

An elliptical orbit satellite system which describes communication and TT&C with ground stations. Earth stations are located for the circular orbiting satellite in a way such that the line of sight can never include geo synchronous satellites. The ground stations for the elliptically orbiting satellites monitor the position of the satellite, and no antenna communicates with a satellite which is in direct line of sight between the antenna and a geo satellite. Another aspect of the invention locates two TT&C stations, separated in longitude by 90.degree. and configures these stations such that each satellite in each constellation will be able to communicate with one of the two TT&C stations once during each satellite rotation period.

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Washington, DC, United States of America

David Castiel