Delta-V-free satellite cloud cluster flying

A satellite cluster system comprising:

• a first plurality of satellites maintaining a first periodic motion relative to a reference point, the reference point maintaining an orbital pattern around a celestial body;
• a second plurality of satellites maintaining a second periodic motion relative to the reference point;
• and
• a third plurality of satellites maintaining a third periodic motion relative to the reference point, the combination of the first, second, and third periodic motions forming a three-dimensional atomic satellite cluster relative to the reference point, and each of the first, second, and third pluralities of satellites being communicatively coupled to each other.

A method for establishing a satellite cluster orbit, the method comprising:

• launching the satellite cluster into a formation-flight to maintain an orbital path about a celestial body;
• applying minimal delta-V impulse thrusts to a first plurality of satellites of the satellite cluster to set the first plurality of satellites in a first periodic motion relative to a reference point, the reference point orbiting the celestial body at an equal velocity along the same orbital path as the formation flight;
• applying minimal delta-V impulse thrusts to a second plurality of satellites of the satellite cluster to set the second plurality of satellites in a second periodic motion relative to the reference point;
• and
• applying minimal delta-V impulse thrusts to a third plurality of satellites of the satellite cluster to set the third plurality of satellites in a third periodic motion relative to the reference point, the combination of the first, second, and third periodic motions forming a three-dimensional atomic satellite cluster relative to the reference point.