Mobile Communications Holdings, Inc.

Virtual Geosatellite LLC

Virtual Geosatellite Holdings, Inc.

Other

Space Resources International Ltd.

Space Resource International Ltd.

Esbh, Inc.

Mobile Communication Holdings, Inc.

Analytic Services, Inc.

John E Draim

David Castiel

Kenneth F Manning

Jay Brosius

Matthew Schor

Jack Anderson

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

Antenna steering to put an interfering satellite in the null of the main antenna beam.

Antenna null

Provided is a system and method for implementing a constellation of satellites in inclined elliptical orbits that provides simplified satellite tracking for ground stations on the earth. The satellite orbits form a pair of repeating ground tracks around the earth. In each ground track the satellites operate only in active arcs well above or below the equator, emulating many of the characteristics of geostationary satellites. The parameters of the satellite orbits are adjusted so that the end points of the active arcs in the two ground tracks coincide; the turn-off point of an active arc in one ground track being the same as the turn-on point of an active arc in the other. For a ground station served by the satellites in these arcs, the active satellites appear to be moving slowly in one direction around a closed, teardrop-shaped path in the sky, at a generally high elevation angle.

System and method for implementing a constellation of non-geostationary satellites that provides simplified satellite tracking

Provided is an improved system and method for implementing a constellation of satellites in inclined elliptical orbits. The satellites are operated during the portion of their orbits near apogee to emulate the characteristics of geostationary satellites. The orbits are configured to form a number of closely spaced repeating ground tracks around the earth. In each ground track the satellites operate only in arcs well above or below the equator to provide a large number of non-geostationary orbital slots that substantially increase global satellite capacity without interfering with the existing geostationary satellite ring. Minimum spacing is maintained between satellites in each active arc and between satellites in the active arcs of adjacent ground tracks to ensure that the satellites in the non-geostationary constellation do not interfere with each other.

System and method for implementing a constellation of non-geostationary satellites that does not interfere with the geostationary satellite ring

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.

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 diversity satellite system using a trailer satellite concept. The main satellite is placed into orbit and the trailer satellite, typically a much smaller satellite, is in orbit with the main satellite. The main satellite and trailer satellite are communicating with one another by crosslinks. In this way, two alternative geometric configurations are possible: a first geometric configuration direct from the ground station to the first satellite, and a second geometric configuration to the main satellite from the ground station via the trailer satellite. This enables avoiding interference.

Redundant satellite system

An apogee pointed to the sun system which uses an elliptical orbit that is tiled in a way that exploits asymmetry in the Van Allen belts.

Constellation of elliptical orbit satellites with line of apsides lying in or near the equatorial plane

Solar array with movable parts that are faced toward the sun during times of the orbit distant from the debris field. When the orbit is within the debris field, the panels are faced edge on to the direction of the orbit.

Adaptively positioned solar array

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.

Elliptical orbit satellite, system, and deployment with controllable

Array of satellites in a planetary gear arrangement. One ring is circular, and within the other ring, which is elliptical. The circular and elliptical rings overlap at a tangent point. At that point, the satellites are evenly spaced for at least a specified parameter, e.g., time of day or geographical location.

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Vienna, VA, United States of America

John E Draim