RF inspection satellite
US6296205A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G3/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inspection satellite is deployed in proximity to another satellite. The inspection satellite contains monitoring equipment and provides diagnostic information to a earth station to facilitate diagnosis of the other satellite and its equipment. The inspection satellite includes a flight control system that maintains the probe satellite in proximity to the satellite being monitored. In a preferred embodiment, the flight control system can also maintain the inspection satellite in an orbit about the satellite being monitored, to facilitate diagnostics based on patterns of signals. The monitoring equipment in a preferred embodiment for a transponder satellite includes an ability to monitor incoming signals and to compare the emissions from the satellite to them, to determine performance characteristics of the satellite equipment being monitored, such as phase shift and gain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.