Abstract: The field of view of a sensor mounted on a satellite (or other spacecraft) is obscured by various objects, such as celestial bodies and the satellite's own solar panels. A method is disclosed for visualizing and quantifying, with respect to time, variations in the portions of the sensor's field of view that are obscured. The graphical output of a satellite systems analysis program, which features high-resolution, three-dimensional, animated images of spacecraft, celestial bodies and other objects in the space environment, is utilized. The graphical output is simplified to only a few colors to differentiate only background and irrelevant objects from relevant objects. Differentiation is also made, using different colors, in representation of those portions of the field of view that overlap relevant (obscuring) objects from the remainder of the field of view which is unobscured. By counting pixels of the respective colors, frame-by-frame during animation, the percentage of obscuration over time is quantified.

Abstract: Assessing performance of satellite constellations. For a given constellation of satellites, each having a given number of sensors, a method is disclosed for determining the times of access between each sensor and a plurality of targets located on Earth. Calculation time required for determining access is greatly decreased using pre-computed access calculations as a baseline.

Abstract: Determining suitable launch windows to avoid or minimize close approaches between a launch vehicle and orbiting objects. A method and apparatus is disclosed for minimizing close approaches between spacecraft and other objects in space during the launch and early deployment phase of their lifetime, by defining a launch window, utilizing filters to screen certain objects in space from consideration and identifying launch window blackout times to avoid close approaches with the remaining objects in space under consideration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling the exposure of spacecraft-mounted solar power panels to the sun over a given time interval, such as an orbit period, and a method and apparatus for modeling the drag of spacecraft over a given time interval, such as an orbit period. The result of the exposure modeling can be used to determine varying availability of electrical power for operations to be performed by the spacecraft and on-board apparatus. The results of the drag over time are used to predict orbit decay and fuel requirements for orbit maintenance and station-keeping. The invention uses a graphically based satellite systems analysis program to approximate exposure and drag data through visual projection of the relevant spacecraft elements on a computer display screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling the exposure of spacecraft-mounted solar power panels to the sun over a given time interval, such as an orbit period, and a method and apparatus for modeling the drag of spacecraft over a given time interval, such as an orbit period. The result of the exposure modeling can be used to determine varying availability of electrical power for operations to be performed by the spacecraft and on-board apparatus. The results of the drag over time are used to predict orbit decay and fuel requirements for orbit maintenance and station-keeping. The invention uses a graphically based satellite systems analysis program to approximate exposure and drag data through visual projection of the relevant spacecraft elements on a computer display screen.