Apparatuses, systems and methods for obtaining information about electromagnetic energy emitted from the earth, such as for locating an interference source on earth

A satellite for obtaining information about electromagnetic energy emitted from a source, or from sources, on the earth,

• the satellite orbiting the earth in an orbit having an inclination larger than 90° and smaller than 270°;
• and
• the satellite comprising:
• at least two receiving antennas, at least one of which
• having a receiving pattern directed towards the earth, and
• suitable for receiving electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range as the satellite is orbiting relative to the surface of the earth, and
• at least another one of which
• having a receiving pattern directed away from the earth, and
• suitable for receiving electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range as the satellite is orbiting relative to the surface of the earth, and
• a transmitter configured for at least one of:
• retransmitting at least part of the received electromagnetic energy,
• transmitting information representing at least part of the received electromagnetic energy;
• and
• transmitting information derived from at least part of the received electromagnetic energy.

A method comprising:

• obtaining, by at least one ground station, a signal
• originating from a satellite orbiting the earth on an orbit having an inclination larger than 90° and smaller than 270°, the satellite having at least two receiving antennas, at least one of which having a receiving pattern directed towards the earth, and at least another one of which having a receiving pattern directed away from the earth,
• and
• conveying at least one of:
• electromagnetic energy received by the satellite,
• information representing electromagnetic energy received by the satellite, and
• information derived from electromagnetic energy received by the satellite,
• and
• estimating, by at least one processing station, from at least part of the received electromagnetic energy or the information representing, or derived from, at least part of the received electromagnetic energy obtained by the at least one ground station, at least one of:
• the composition of at least part of the received electromagnetic energy;
• a location on earth of the origin of at least part of the received electromagnetic energy;
• a level of received electromagnetic energy reaching at least part of the geostationary orbit;
• and
• at least one characteristic of an uplink transmission.