The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1997
Applicant:
Inventor:
Gordon L Collyer, Clearwater, FL (US);
Assignee:
Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
2441 / ; 244164 ; 244169 ; 244172 ;
Abstract
Satellites are launched to a first orbit on a launch rocket. The satellites are connected together, forming a satellite cluster, that is propelled from the first orbit to a higher mission orbit by thrustors on each satellite. The satellite cluster is formed so that satellite cluster rotation from aerodynamic drag on the individual satellites is minimized. The thrustors are sequenced to control satellite cluster attitude during the transition to the second altitude. At the second altitude, the satellites are separated from the satellite cluster and propelled to their mission orbits using their own thrustors and attitude system.