Efficient orbital storage and deployment for spacecraft in inclined geosynchronous orbit
US10329034B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/411
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A constellation of Earth-orbiting spacecraft includes a first spacecraft disposed in a first orbit, a second spacecraft disposed in a second orbit, and a third spacecraft disposed in a third orbit. Each of the first orbit, the second orbit and the third orbit is substantially circular with a radius of approximately 42,164 km, and has a specified inclination with respect to the equator within a range of 5° to 20°. The first orbit has a first right ascension of ascending node RAAN1, the second orbit has a second RAAN (RAAN2) approximately equal to RAAN1+120°, and the third orbit has a third RAAN (RAAN3) approximately equal to RAAN1+240°. A fourth spacecraft is disposed in a fourth orbit that has a period of approximately one sidereal day, an inclination of less than 2°, a perigee altitude of at least 8000 km, and an eccentricity between approximately 0.4 and 0.66.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.