Patents by Inventor Cornelius J. Westerhoff

Cornelius J. Westerhoff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Spacecraft constellation formation keeping using inter-spacecraft distance measurement
    Patent number: 6553286
    Abstract: A method for controlling a spacecraft comprising the steps of providing a first spacecraft in a known first predetermined orbit, and a second spacecraft in a second predetermined orbit. The distance between the first and second spacecraft is measured. The measured distance and data describing the known first predetermined orbit are used for determining an orbital error bias of the second spacecraft relative to the second predetermined orbit. The second spacecraft is maneuvered to compensate for the orbital error bias, and to maintain the second spacecraft in the second predetermined orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Turner, John L. Watkins, Cornelius J. Westerhoff
  • SPACECRAFT CONSTELLATION FORMATION KEEPING USING INTER-SPACECRAFT DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20030036826
    Abstract: A method for controlling a spacecraft comprising the steps of providing a first spacecraft in a known first predetermined orbit, and a second spacecraft in a second predetermined orbit. The distance between the first and second spacecraft is measured. The measured distance and data describing the known first predetermined orbit are used for determining an orbital error bias of the second spacecraft relative to the second predetermined orbit. The second spacecraft is maneuvered to compensate for the orbital error bias, and to maintain the second spacecraft in the second predetermined orbit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Turner, John L. Watkins, Cornelius J. Westerhoff