Medium earth orbit communication satellite system
US5890679A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/1007
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation comprising two satellite subconstellations. Each of the two satellite subconstellations comprises three cross-linked satellites. The cross-linked satellites of both subconstellations lay within or near the equatorial plane, and follow a substantially circular orbit. Individual ones of the satellites within each respective subconstellation are offset from each of two adjacent satellites of at least one of the other subconstellations by a predetermined angle. Each of the satellite subconstellations relays communications between a terrestrial node and at least one mission platform in manner that minimizes the number of satellite links necessary for relaying the communications. At least one satellite from each respective subconstellation is always within a view of the terrestrial node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.