Other

Hartford Fire Insurance Compnay

The Hartford

Marshall H Kaplan

Keven J Busque

M Kathleen Williams

Richard A Adelson

Daniel B Chaput

John E Lamb

Nora Medina

Sandra J Meyerhofer

Marie T Engel

Jean A Sirica

Mark J Smith

Beverly I Kirby

Jeffrey J Ryan

Doug Bendel

Kathleen Barrett

James Tsokalas

Kathy Barrett

Doug Bender

Jeff Ryan

James Tsukalas

An orbiting satellite can be maintained in a virtual orbit, having an orbital period equal to the natural orbit of a satellite at a different altitude, by equipping the satellite with at least one radial thruster. Radial thrusters on the anti-nadir-facing side of the satellite allow for virtual orbits higher than the natural altitude, while radial thrusters on the nadir-facing side of the satellite allow for virtual orbits lower than the natural altitude. This allows a satellite to evade threats, such as orbital debris and/or hostile spacecraft, without losing its relative position within a satellite constellation or experiencing the diminished services often attendant such maneuvers. Similar techniques can also be used for surveillance of orbiting satellites.

Apparatus and methods for creating artificial near-earth orbits

An orbiting satellite can be maintained in a geosynchronous orbit (e.g., with an orbital period equal to one sidereal day) at an altitude other than 35,786 km by equipping the satellite with at least one radial thruster. Radial thrusters on the anti-Earth-facing side of the satellite allow for artificial geosynchronous orbits higher than the natural altitude, while radial thrusters on the Earth-facing side of the satellite allow for artificial geosynchronous orbits lower than the natural altitude. This allows a geosynchronous satellite to evade threats, such as orbital debris and/or hostile spacecraft, without losing signal to ground based antennas. Similar techniques can also be used for surveillance of satellites in geosynchronous orbits.

Apparatus and methods for creating artificial geosynchronous orbits

An orbital debris interception vehicle includes a satellite bus and a debris interception module releasably coupled to the satellite bus. The debris interception module includes a debris impact pad, such as a pancake-shaped Whipple shield. A plurality of such vehicles can be deployed into an equatorial orbit and maneuvered to intercept orbital debris as it passes through the equatorial plane. In particular, the satellite bus can release the debris interception module before an intercept and reconnect to it after the intercept.

Apparatus and methods for orbital debris removal

The present invention is embodied in an online-like transaction processing method and system for processing account information contained in batch process files, the method including: reading at least one batch file containing a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records being related to an associated one of a plurality of accounts; identifying which of the plurality of records relate to same ones of the plurality of accounts; identifying one of the accounts; and, processing all of the records identified as relating to the one of the accounts together and independent of processing any of the records relating to any other of the plurality of accounts.

Computer system and computerized method for processing account data

Method and system for an online-like account processing and management

The present invention is embodied in an online-like transaction processing method and system for processing account information contained in batch process files. The method includes the steps of reading at least one batch file containing a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records associated with one of a plurality of accounts, identifying which of the plurality of records relate to same ones of the plurality of accounts selecting and restricting access to one of the accounts and processing all of the records identified as related to one of the accounts together and independent of processing any of the records relating to any other of the plurality of accounts.

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Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Marshall H Kaplan