초록 ▼

The present invention is directed toward a navigation system and method for a high orbit spacecraft, which passively utilizes UHF signals carrying intersatellite ranging data transmitted by a constellation of satellites that travel in lower orbits around a celestial sphere. The navigation system ena

The present invention is directed toward a navigation system and method for a high orbit spacecraft, which passively utilizes UHF signals carrying intersatellite ranging data transmitted by a constellation of satellites that travel in lower orbits around a celestial sphere. The navigation system enables the high orbit spacecraft to self locate its position relative to an earth centered coordinate frame and comprises a receiver for receiving the UHF signal, carrying the intersatellite ranging data and a Kalman or optimum filter coupled to the receiver for processing the ranging data received by the receiver and generating and updating spacecraft position data.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of determining the position of a spacecraft orbiting independently of a constellation of earth-orbiting satellites, the method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving at the spacecraft crosslink messages transmitted between satellites of the constellation, the cros

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of determining the position of a spacecraft orbiting independently of a constellation of earth-orbiting satellites, the method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving at the spacecraft crosslink messages transmitted between satellites of the constellation, the crosslink messages containing intersatellite ranging data intended for use by the satellites within the constellation; and(b) computing the position of the spacecraft based on the intersatellite ranging data received from plural satellites of the constellation.