Satellite, method and a fleet of satellites for observing a celestial body

An observation satellite which is intended to be placed in orbit around a celestial body, and which includes a suitable capture system to capture information which is received in the form of electromagnetic radiation, the capture system comprising:

• a receiving device including a suitable detecting device to capture the said information,
• a device to reflect the said received electromagnetic radiation, comprising at least one reflecting surface, and
• a linking mechanical system which moors the reflecting device and receiving device to each other, this capture system being suitable to be able to capture the said information when the receiving device and reflecting device are placed relative to each other in a functioning relative position in which the detecting device receives all or part of the said electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflecting device, and captures the corresponding information, wherein the capture system is suitable, by its geometry and mass distribution, to orient itself of its own accord by gravity gradient according to an aiming orientation, in which when the receiving device and reflecting device are in a functioning relative position, the reflecting device is oriented toward the celestial body to be able to receive the electromagnetic radiation which originates in an area of the celestial body, called the aimed-at area, the capture system being capable of capturing information which is to be captured and is transmitted by this electromagnetic radiation.

A method of observing a celestial body, in which:

• at least one satellite is placed in orbit around the celestial body, said satellite including a suitable capture system to capture information which is received in the form of electromagnetic radiation, the capture system comprising:
• a receiving device including a suitable detecting device to capture the said information,
• a device to reflect the said received electromagnetic radiation, comprising at least one reflecting surface, and
• a linking mechanical system which moors the reflecting device and receiving device to each other, this capture system being suitable to be able to capture the said information when the receiving device and reflecting device are placed relative to each other in a functioning relative position in which the detecting device receives all or part of the said electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflecting device, and captures the corresponding information, and wherein the capture system is suitable, by its geometry and mass distribution, to orient itself of its own accord by gravity gradient according to an aiming orientation, in which when the receiving device and reflecting device are in a functioning relative position, the reflecting device is oriented toward the celestial body to be able to receive the electromagnetic radiation which originates in an area of the celestial body, called the aimed-at area, the capture system being capable of capturing information which is to be captured and is transmitted by this electromagnetic radiation, each satellite is allowed to orient itself by gravity gradient.

A fleet of observation satellites placed in at least one orbit around a celestial body, each satellite including a suitable capture system to capture information which is received in the form of electromagnetic radiation, the capture system comprising:

• a receiving device including a suitable detecting device to capture the said information,
• a device to reflect the said received electromagnetic radiation, comprising at least one reflecting surface, and
• a linking mechanical system which moors the reflecting device and receiving device to each other, this capture system being suitable to be able to capture the said information when the receiving device and reflecting device are placed relative to each other in a functioning relative position in which the detecting device receives all or part of the said electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflecting device, and captures the corresponding information, and wherein the capture system is suitable, by its geometry and mass distribution, to orient itself of its own accord by gravity gradient according to an aiming orientation, in which when the receiving device and reflecting device are in a functioning relative position, the reflecting device is oriented toward the celestial body to be able to receive the electromagnetic radiation which originates in an area of the celestial body, called the aimed-at area, the capture system being capable of capturing information which is to be captured and is transmitted by this electromagnetic radiation.