Direct broadcast imaging satellite system apparatus and method for providing real-time, continuous monitoring of earth from geostationary earth orbit

A constellation of at least four imaging satellites in geostationary orbit, each satellite comprising:

• an image sensor positioned toward Earth and configured to produce data of a series of images of at least a portion of a surface of the Earth that have respective resolutions equating to 500 m or better if taken at nadir;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the data to a remote location so that said series of images may be viewed in real-time at said remote location, wherein
• each of said at least four satellites being configured to communicate with ground facilities located within line of sight of respective of the at least four satellites.

A method for capturing and distributing real-time image data from geostationary orbit, comprising steps of:

• forming a series of images of at least a portion of a surface of Earth, including
• forming the series of images at a frame rate of 1 second per frame or faster, and
• forming the series of images that have respective resolutions equating to 500 m or better if taken at nadir;
• producing a stream of data representative of the series of images;
• and
• transmitting the data to a remote location.

An imaging satellite configured to be in geostationary orbit, comprising:

• means for forming a series of images of at least a portion of a surface of Earth, including
• means for forming the series of images at a frame rate that is one second or less,
• means for forming the series of images with respective resolutions equating to at least 500 m if taken at nadir;
• means for producing a stream of data that represents the series of images;
• and
• means for transmitting the data to a remote location.