Ses Americom, Inc.

Sesa Americom, Inc.

Henry White

Michael Pritchard

Thomas Gerard Nowak

Kevin John Moscatiello

Christopher Taylor

John Philip Schramm

Nicholas Vespasian Chilelli

Anthony William Massaro

Susan Peyton

Emmett Hume

Winfield A Caldwell, Iii

Ronald Capozzi

A system and method for controlling a propulsion system of a space-borne object (e.g., a satellite) is based on the principle that temperature in the propellant tank of the propulsion system is directly proportional to the pressure therein. Accordingly, when pressure drops, the system and method maintains a desired pressure in the propellant tank by heating the tank. The amount of heat to be applied is determined based on an evaluation of thruster performance data collected during satellite test maneuvers. Heating of the tank may be coupled with the introduction of helium gas to provide a two-pronged approach for maintaining tank pressure. Alternatively, the helium gas may itself be heated prior to its introduction into the propellant tank. By maintaining a desired tank pressure, efficient performance of the satellite thrusters is assured.

System and method for controlling a space-borne propulsion system

A ground-control system for a fleet of satellites provides a highly reliable means that automatically recognizes undesirable telemetry state changes and automatically transmits the required commands to the proper satellite to place the satellite operational parameters into the desired state. The ground-control system utilizes hardware, software and two redundant ground-control sites: a Control site and a Monitor site. There may also be a number of disabled sites to replace one of the redundant ground-control sites, at a moment's notice, if necessary. Both redundant sites constantly and independently monitor and verify validity of satellite telemetry. Upon occurrence of an undesired state change (event) upon a particular satellite, ground-control computers at both sites independently recognize the event and automatically begin a response. The control site computer verifies no critical satellite on-board commanding is scheduled to take place, discontinues interruptible activities, directs the monitor site computer to stop any transmission to the event satellite, switches the RF hardware to access the proper satellite and transmits the required commands. If the control site computer cannot interrupt its own activities, it directs the monitor site computer to verify no critical satellite on-board commanding is scheduled to take place and then discontinues interruptible activities to transmit the required commands. If the monitor site computer cannot interrupt activities, it passes the response back to the control site where the control site computer stores the required commands in the queue until activities can be interrupted for the transmission of the required commands.

Automated ground system with telemetry initiated command assistance

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Manalapan, NJ, United States of America

Henry White