Constellation Configuration for Constellations having a Large Number of LEO Satellites
AssigneeWorldVu Satellites Limited
InventorMatthew Cameron Meek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A configuration for a satellite constellation has a plurality of planes, each plane including a plurality of satellites therein, at least some of the planes situated at a different altitude than other of the planes. In some embodiments, all planes contain the same number of satellites; in some other embodiments, at least one plane includes a different number of satellites than the other planes in the constellation. In some embodiments, the satellites in each plane are evenly spaced.
Claims20
A satellite constellation comprising:
- a plurality of satellites, wherein:
- (a) the plurality of satellites are organized into a plurality of planes, each plane including some of the satellites in the plurality thereof;
- and
- (b) at least some of the planes are situated at a different altitude from other of the planes.
A method for inserting or removing a satellite into a satellite constellation having a plurality of satellites arranged in plural planes, at least some of which planes are at a different altitude than other of the planes, the method comprising:
- beginning, at a first of Earth's two poles, an ascent or descent of a satellite toward a first of the plural planes of the constellation;
- reaching an altitude of the plane as the satellite passes proximal to Earth's equator,
- completing ascent or descent past the plane, at the second of Earth's two poles;
- and
- pausing ascent or descent of the satellite toward a second of the plural planes if, without the pausing, improper phasing with the satellites in the second or other of the plural planes results.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.