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Array of satellites in a planetary gear arrangement. One ring is circular, and within the other ring, which is elliptical. The circular and elliptical rings overlap at a tangent point. At that point, the satellites are evenly spaced for at least a specified parameter, e.g., time of day or geographic

Array of satellites in a planetary gear arrangement. One ring is circular, and within the other ring, which is elliptical. The circular and elliptical rings overlap at a tangent point. At that point, the satellites are evenly spaced for at least a specified parameter, e.g., time of day or geographical location.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An array of communication satellites, each communicating with a point on the earth, said array of communication satellites comprising:a first circular ring of satellites, and a second, elliptical ring of satellites, each of said first and second rings orbiting in or very

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An array of communication satellites, each communicating with a point on the earth, said array of communication satellites comprising:a first circular ring of satellites, and a second, elliptical ring of satellites, each of said first and second rings orbiting in or very near the same plane, and one of said rings having a smaller semi-major axis than the other of said rings;a first ratio between a first number of satellites in said first ring and a second number of satellites in said second ring being the same as a second ratio between a first time required for each of said first satellites in said first ring to make an orbit and a second time required for each of said second satellites in said second ring to make an orbit, andan apogee position of one of said second satellites in orbit in said second ring being midway between two satellites in orbit in said first ring during at least a desired time of day.