Apparatus and methods for creating artificial geosynchronous orbits
US10059470B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/646
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.