Virtual geostationary satellite constellation and method of satellite communications

• Main Author: JOHN E DRAIM
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.05.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSMISSION; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

A satellite constellation comprising a plurality of virtual geostationary satellites in elliptical orbits that form one or more repeating ground tracks is disclosed. The elliptical orbits have agogees above either the Northern or Southern hemispheres such that the virtual geostationary satellites appear, from the ground, to be virtually geostationary when at and near their apogees. The virtual geostationary satellites maintain a minimum separation angle of at least 2 DEG resulting in a 2-degree slot system for the active regions of the satellite constellation, thereby preventing interference among the virtual geostationary satellites. In addition, the virtual geostationary satellites maintain approximately 40 DEG of separation in latitude from the equatorial ring of geostationary satellites, thereby preventing interference with geostationary satellites and allowing reuse of the same frequency bands presently use by geostationary satellites.