Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Phillip G. Avruch
  • Patent number: 6714521
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for implementing a constellation of satellites in inclined elliptical orbits that provides simplified satellite tracking for ground stations on the earth. The satellite orbits form a pair of repeating ground tracks around the earth. In each ground track the satellites operate only in active arcs well above or below the equator, emulating many of the characteristics of geostationary satellites. The parameters of the satellite orbits are adjusted so that the end points of the active arcs in the two ground tracks coincide; the turn-off point of an active arc in one ground track being the same as the turn-on point of an active arc in the other. For a ground station served by the satellites in these arcs, the active satellites appear to be moving slowly in one direction around a closed, teardrop-shaped path in the sky, at a generally high elevation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Space Resources International Ltd.
    Inventor: John E. Draim