Technique for dispensing earth satellites into multi-planar orbits

A method for dispensing first and second satellites from a launch vehicle comprising:

• a) placing the launch vehicle having said first and second satellites carried thereon in a first orbital plane having a first nodal drift rate;
• b) releasing said first satellite into a first orbit in said first orbital plane;
• c) imparting a first acceleration to said launch vehicle such that said launch vehicle has a second nodal drift rate;
• d) allowing said launch vehicle to move from said first orbital plane to a second orbital plane as a result of said second nodal drift rate;
• e) imparting a second acceleration to said launch vehicle when said launch vehicle reaches said second orbital plane such that said launch vehicle has said first nodal drift rate;
• and
• f) releasing said second satellite into a second orbit in said second orbital plane.

A method for dispensing first and second satellites from a launch vehicle such that said first and second satellites are dispensed into respective first and second orbits of respective first and second orbital planes comprising:

• a) placing the launch vehicle in an orbit in the first orbital plane;
• b) dispensing said first satellite into said first orbit of said first orbital plane while said launch vehicle is orbiting in said first orbital plane;
• c) imparting a first acceleration to said launch vehicle to change an inclination and nodal drift rate of an instantaneous orbital plane of said launch vehicle such that said launch vehicle undergoes a nodal drift relative to said first orbital plane;
• d) waiting a predetermined period of time after imparting said first acceleration, and after said predetermined period of time imparting a second acceleration to said launch vehicle to stop said nodal drift relative to said first orbital plane and to place said launch vehicle in an orbit in said second orbital plane;
• and
• e) dispensing said second satellite into said second orbit of said second orbital plane while said launch vehicle is orbiting in said second orbital plane.

A method for dispensing first and second satellites from a launch vehicle such that said first and second satellites are dispensed into respective first and second orbits of respective first and second orbital planes comprising:

• a) placing the launch vehicle in an orbit in the first orbital plane;
• b) dispensing said first satellite into said first orbit of said first orbital plane while said launch vehicle is orbiting in said first orbital plane;
• c) imparting a first acceleration to said launch vehicle to change an inclination and nodal drift rate of an instantaneous orbital plane of said launch vehicle such that said instantaneous orbital plane of said launch vehicle undergoes a nodal drift relative to said first orbital plane;
• d) waiting a predetermined period of time after imparting said first acceleration, and after said predetermined period of time imparting a second acceleration to said launch vehicle such that said launch vehicle is orbiting in said second orbital plane;
• and
• e) dispensing said second satellite into said second orbit of said second orbital plane while said launch vehicle is orbiting in said second orbital plane.