Launch on demand
AssigneeLaunch on Demand Corporation
InventorBurton H. Catledge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may enable the identification of launch opportunities. The integrated approach of the various embodiments leverages instrumentation, data and communication systems available from the National Airspace System (NAS), Marine Transportation System (MTS), and orbital catalog to enable safe passage for space vehicles, passengers, and payloads. The condition-based launch criteria of the various embodiments may improve mission assurance and public safety while simultaneously supporting a customer's launch on readiness schedule.
Claims20
A space launch service platform computing device, comprising:
- at least one processor configured with processor-executable instructions to:
- receive a plurality of data feeds that include:
- a data feed from a satellite catalog;
- a data feed from an orbital debris catalog;
- a data feed from a national airspace tracking system;
- a data feed from a maritime tracking system;
- a data feed from a weather monitoring system;
- and
- a data feed from a range monitoring system;
- receive monitoring data from a plurality of sensors located at a launch site and on a launch vehicle;
- use the received plurality of data feeds and the received monitoring data to generate combined launch data indicative of current and predicted conditions at and around the launch site and along a proposed launch trajectory of the launch vehicle;
- analyze the combined launch data based on condition-based launch criteria to identify two or more non-linear non-periodic and discontinuous clear launch windows within a defined time span, wherein each launch window represents a time period during which the condition-based launch criteria are estimated to be met for the launch vehicle, at and around the launch site, and along the proposed launch trajectory;
- and
- output an indication of the identified non-linear non-periodic and discontinuous clear launch windows as launch opportunities tailored to the launch vehicle and mission parameters.
A method for determining launch opportunities for a space vehicle from a terrestrial launch point, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a computing device, a plurality of data feeds including:
- a data feed from a satellite catalog;
- a data feed from an orbital debris catalog;
- a data feed from a national airspace tracking system;
- a data feed from a maritime tracking system;
- a data feed from a weather monitoring system;
- and
- a data feed from a range monitoring system;
- receiving, by the computing device, monitoring data from a plurality of sensors located at a launch site and on a launch vehicle;
- using, by the computing device, the received plurality of data feeds and the received monitoring data to generate combined launch data indicative of current and predicted conditions at and around the launch site and along a proposed launch trajectory of the launch vehicle;
- analyzing, by the computing device, the combined launch data based on condition-based launch criteria to identify two or more non-linear non-periodic and discontinuous clear launch windows within a defined time span, wherein each launch window represents a time period during which the condition-based launch criteria are estimated to be met for the launch vehicle, at and around the launch site, and along the proposed launch trajectory;
- and
- outputting, by the computing device, an indication of the identified non-linear non-periodic and discontinuous clear launch windows as launch opportunities tailored to the launch vehicle and mission parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.