Satellite system and method for global coverage

A method of operation for a satellite system for Earth observation and communications having global coverage, comprising:

• providing a constellation of six satellites, three of said satellites orbiting in a first orbit and the other three of said satellites orbiting in a second orbit;
• the first orbit having an orbital inclination between 70° and 90°, an apogee over the northern hemisphere, a perigee that avoids an inner Van Allen belt of high energy protons, and an orbital eccentricity of greater than 0.28 and less than 0.45;
• the second orbit having an orbital inclination between 70° and 90°, an apogee over the southern hemisphere, a perigee that avoids the inner Van Allen belt of high energy protons, and an orbital eccentricity of greater than 0.28 and less than 0.45;
• and
• a major axis of the first orbit being substantially aligned with a major axis of the second orbit, and planes of the first orbit and the second orbit being orthogonal to one another;
• and
• providing at least one base station for transmitting to and receiving signals from said constellation of six satellites.

A satellite base station, comprising:

• a communication system for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a constellation of six satellites providing global coverage;
• and
• a flight control system for controlling said constellation of six satellites such that:
• three of said satellites orbit in a first orbit and the other three of said satellites orbit in a second orbit;
• the first orbit having an orbital inclination between 70° and 90° with respect to a first pole of the Earth, an orbital eccentricity of greater than 0.28 and less than 0.45, and a perigee that avoids an inner Van Allen belt of high energy protons;
• the second orbit having an orbital inclination between 70° and 90° with respect to a second pole of the Earth, an orbital eccentricity of greater than 0.28 and less than 0.45, and a perigee that avoids the inner Van Allen belt of high energy protons;
• and
• a major axis of the first orbit being substantially aligned with a major axis of the second orbit, and planes of the first orbit and the second orbit being orthogonal to one another.