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US 12,234,041 B2Granted
Satellite constellation, ground facility and artificial satellite
AssigneeMitsubishi Electric Corporation
InventorHisayuki Mukae
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A satellite constellation (200) comprises three artificial satellites (210A to 210C) that monitor a target area of the Earth (101). Each artificial satellite circulates on elliptical orbits having sun-synchronization and an orbit inclination angle. A long axis of each elliptical orbit forms an equal angle with each long axis of two adjacent elliptical orbits in a latitude direction.
Claims22
A satellite constellation comprising:
- three or more artificial satellites that monitor a target area of the Earth,
- wherein each of the three or more artificial satellites circulates on non-frozen elliptical orbits having sun-synchronization and an orbit inclination angle,
- wherein a long axis of each elliptical orbit forms an equal angle with each long axis of two adjacent elliptical orbits on an orbit surface, and
- wherein a position of each of the three or more artificial satellites is configured to be adjusted on a corresponding elliptical orbit according to control commands received by each of the three or more satellites so that each of the three or more artificial satellites cooperate with each other to constantly monitor the target area of the Earth.
1 more element
A satellite constellation comprising:
- three or more artificial satellites which monitor a target area of the Earth,
- wherein at least one of the three or more artificial satellites circulates on an orbit whose northernmost end on an orbit surface crosses directly below the Sun at 12:00 pm,
- wherein the orbit of each of the three or more artificial satellites is a non-frozen elliptical orbit having sun-synchronization and an orbit inclination angle,
- wherein a long axis of each elliptical orbit forms an equal angle with each long axis of two adjacent elliptical orbits, and
- wherein a position of each of the three or more artificial satellites is configured to be adjusted on a corresponding elliptical orbit according to a control command received from a ground facility so that each of the three or more artificial satellites cooperate with each other to constantly monitor the target area of the Earth.
2 more elements
A satellite constellation comprising:
- three or more artificial satellites which monitor a target area of the Earth,
- wherein an orbit of each of the three or more artificial satellites is a non-frozen elliptical orbit having sun-synchronization and an orbit inclination angle,
- wherein a long axis of each elliptical orbit forms an equal angle with each long axis of two adjacent elliptical orbits,
- wherein at least one of the three or more artificial satellites circulates on an orbit whose local sun time on an orbit surface is 12:00 pm, and
- wherein a position of each of the three or more artificial satellites is configured to be adjusted on a corresponding elliptical orbit according to a control command received from a ground facility so that each of the three or more artificial satellites cooperate with each other to constantly monitor the target area of the Earth.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.