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A satellite orbiting arrangement including an orbiting cluster of co-operative satellites in which inter-satellite communication is to be maintained substantially constantly, the arrangement further including an inter-satellite communication satellite positioned remotely from the cluster in an orbit

A satellite orbiting arrangement including an orbiting cluster of co-operative satellites in which inter-satellite communication is to be maintained substantially constantly, the arrangement further including an inter-satellite communication satellite positioned remotely from the cluster in an orbit selected to maintain at least approximate station with the cluster and to enable communication with each satellite of the cluster to be maintained substantially constantly.

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Satellite apparatus in orbit including a plurality of co-operative satellites which orbit as a generally geostationary cluster of co-operative satellites in which inter-satellite communication is to be maintained substantially constantly, and an inter-satellite communication satellite arranged to ef

Satellite apparatus in orbit including a plurality of co-operative satellites which orbit as a generally geostationary cluster of co-operative satellites in which inter-satellite communication is to be maintained substantially constantly, and an inter-satellite communication satellite arranged to effect such constant communication, each satellite of the cluster being oriented so that a given region is always earth directed and being placed in its own orbit such that the satellites of the cluster follow each other around a path centered substantially at a given longitude with reference to an earth fixed frame, each satellite of the cluster having its own receptor means directed at all times toward the inter-satellite communication satellite, the inter-satellite communication satellite being placed in an orbit so selected that it follows a path centered substantially at a further longitude spaced from said given longitude to maintain approximate station with the cluster but positioned remotely therefrom whereby the receptor of each satellite of the cluster is directed toward the inter-satellite communication satellite at all times without the receptor rotating through more than one half of one revolution with reference to its satellite.