초록 ▼

Due to the large up front cost in fielding a full capacity satellite constellation (100), it is desirable to have the ability to modify the constellation after deployment to add more capacity in a fashion that does not interrupt service, in order to satisfy a variable or growing market demand. In a

Due to the large up front cost in fielding a full capacity satellite constellation (100), it is desirable to have the ability to modify the constellation after deployment to add more capacity in a fashion that does not interrupt service, in order to satisfy a variable or growing market demand. In a satellite constellation including a plurality of orbital planes, each of the orbital planes precesses at a known rate. This invention employs deliberate dynamic manipulation of the orbital precession rates for different satellite planes to increase the separation distance between two adjacent planes. A new plane is then inserted between the two adjacent planes to increase the number of planes and increase the capacity. By continuing a gradual variation, a new orbital plane can be added periodically, e.g. once a year, and the variation can be stopped when no additional orbital planes are desired.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In conjunction with a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellites in a plurality of orbital planes with each of the orbital planes precessing at a precession rate, a method of inserting a new orbital plane in the satellite constellation comprising the steps of:determining the prec

1. In conjunction with a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellites in a plurality of orbital planes with each of the orbital planes precessing at a precession rate, a method of inserting a new orbital plane in the satellite constellation comprising the steps of:determining the precession rate for each of the orbital planes according to W=k(a-7/2)(cos i)(1-e2)31 2, where k is substantially equal to -2.06474.times.1014, a is the semi-major axis, e is the eccentricity, and i is the inclination; varying at least one of the variables a, e, and i to increase a separation distance between two adjacent orbital planes of the plurality of orbital planes; and inserting a new orbital plane between the two adjacent orbital planes.