Elliptical satellite system which emulates the characteristics of geosynchronous satellites
US6678519B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/428
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elliptical satellite communication system including a constellation of satellites which orbit the earth at a height less than that necessary for geosynchronous orbits but which simulate the characteristics of geosynchronous orbits. The satellites' velocity near the apogee portion of their orbit approximates the rotational velocity of the earth, and during that period appear to hover over the earth. The ground stations on the earth always communicate with a satellite at or near its apogee, and hence that satellite appears to the ground station to hover over the earth. During the times when the satellite is outside the apogee portion, its communication is shut off to prevent any possibility of interfering with geosynchronous satellites and its power supply is used to charge a battery on the satellite. Thus, the power supply of the system can be reduced by an amount equivalent to the percentage of time the satellite is not used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.