Lockheed Martin Corporation

Newspace Networks, Inc.

Space Systems/loral, LLC

Vector Launch Inc.

Robert Randall Cleave

Shaun B Coleman

John Edward Metzger

Darren D Garber

Senthilkumar Narayanasamy

Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software are described herein that provide enhanced satellite link-coupled communication nodes. In one example, a parent communication node includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of child communication nodes over corresponding satellite communication links. The parent communication node includes a resource manager configured to determine physical resources local to each of the plurality of child communication nodes, establish a pool of resources from among the physical resources, and responsive to a request for execution of an application, allocate resources from the pool of resources for execution of the application at one or more selected child communication nodes. The parent communication node can initiate execution of the application using the allocated resources at the one or more selected child communication nodes.

Wireless communication link management for applications deployed to communication nodes

Resource allocation for application deployment to satellite-linked communication nodes

Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software are described herein that provide enhanced satellite communication nodes. In one example, a satellite communication interface is configured to communicate over one or more satellite communication links provided by at least a satellite communication service provider. A policy engine is configured to identify communication requirements related to execution of one or more applications by the communication node, and initiate changes to the one or more satellite communication links based at least on the communication requirements and monitored properties of the one or more satellite communication links.

Satellite communication link management for communication nodes

Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software are described herein that provide enhanced satellite communication nodes. In one example, a parent communication node is configured to establish a satellite edge network over at least a satellite communication pathway with a child communication node remotely located from a geographic location of the parent node. The child communication node is configured to communicate over at least the satellite communication pathway to establish a connection to the satellite edge network and route communications of a local communication interface to the satellite edge network.

Satellite edge networks

Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for spaceborne and airborne computing platforms. In one example, an airborne computing platform includes a plurality of airborne devices, with one or more of the airborne devices comprising specialized roles defined by at least one among software elements and hardware elements targeted to the specialized roles. Individual ones of the airborne devices are configured to identify tasks to be serviced using one or more of the specialized roles, determine one or more target devices to handle the tasks based at least in part on attributes of the target devices, and transfer at least task instructions for delivery to the target devices for performing the tasks.

Role-specialization in spaceborne and airborne computing platforms

Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for the deployment and management of converged resources across satellites, aircraft, and ground-based nodes to perform user tasks and applications. In one implementation, a system includes a first physical node that monitors sensor data to determine when the sensor data qualifies for an operation triggering event. Once the sensor data qualifies for the operation triggering event, the first physical node may generate and communicate a notification to a second physical node to initiate a new operation to support the triggering event.

Triggered automated operations for spaceborne and airborne nodes

Systems, methods, and software described herein manage the initiation of applications in a system of physical nodes. In one example, a control system may identify a triggering event to initiate an application in the system based on sensor data obtained from at least a subset of the physical nodes. In response to the triggering event, the control system may identify a physical node with an image to support the execution of the application, initiate execution of the application associated with the image, and allocate or provide state information to the executing application.

Triggered application execution in sensor nodes

Systems, methods, and software described herein manage the deployment of applications across multiple provisioning layers. In managing the applications, a management service may monitor resource usage by the applications that are executing in a first provisioning layer, wherein the first provisioning layer comprises physical nodes such as airborne or spaceborne nodes. While monitoring the resource usage, the management service may determine when the resource usage by the applications satisfies migration criteria and, when the applications satisfy the migration criteria, select one or more of the applications to be offloaded to another provisioning layer. Once selected, the management service may initiate deployment of the one or more applications in the other provisioning layer.

Management of application deployment across multiple provisioning layers

Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying communication networks in clusters of satellite devices. In one example, satellite system may include a ground node including a geosynchronous communication interface configured to transmit data to a geosynchronous satellite device in a geosynchronous orbit, the geosynchronous satellite device including a ground communication interface configured to receive data from at least the ground node, and a low earth orbit communication interface configured to broadcast the data for receipt by a plurality of low-earth orbiting satellite devices. The plurality of low-earth orbiting satellite devices each may include a geosynchronous communication interface configured to receive the data broadcast by the geosynchronous satellite device.

Geosynchronous broadcast of data to low-earth orbit

A communications system employing a telestation that uses a computer to provide command and data handling, a GPS receiver to provide position, time, and attitude information, and a transceiver to provide two-way wireless digital communications. The computer is coupled to an instrument, measuring device, or payload, and is controlled to relay data generated thereby to a user. Commands and data are uplinked and downlinked to the telestation by way of a satellite network, such as a Globalstar network. The telestation provides a user with real-time command and control of globally distributed instruments. This capability may be used terrestrially for gathering information (e.g., science, environmental, etc.) in remote or inhospitable locations, or where logistical support is inadequate. An in-orbit version may be used for spacecraft or satellite instruments 15, allowing investigators instant access to the instruments during all phases of a mission.

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Half Moon Bay, CA, United States of America

Robert Randall Cleave