Constellation of spacecraft, and broadcasting method using said constellation

A constellation, comprising:

• a plurality of spacecraft, each including a broadcast capability, and each in its own approximately 24-hour orbit, each of said orbits having an inclination of about 55° and an eccentricity of about 0.32, and each of said orbits also having a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43° East, argument of the perigee of about 270°, and longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude of about 7° East.

A constellation, comprising:

• a plurality of spacecraft, each including a broadcast capability, and each in its own approximately 24-hour orbit, each of said orbits having an inclination of about 55°, apogee altitude of about 49,300 km, and perigee altitude of about 22,300 km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43° East, argument of the perigee of about 270°, and longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude of about 7° East.

A method for broadcasting to European cities, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a plurality of broadcast spacecraft in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, which may be rotated relative to each other, each of said orbits having an inclination of about 55° and an eccentricity of about 0.32, and each of said orbits also having a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43° East, argument of the perigee of about 270°, and longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude of about 7° East;
• broadcasting from each of said spacecraft during those times when the ground track of said spacecraft is above about 30° to 35° latitude, and reducing the broadcast power during other times.