Patents by Inventor Jonathan F. C. Herman

Jonathan F. C. Herman 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).

  • Satellite constellations
    Patent number: 11479372
    Abstract: A method of communication with a non-GEO constellation of satellites, includes providing an Earth-based terminal configured for communication with a satellite constellation, and establishing communication between the Earth-based terminal and a non-GEO constellation of satellites, the non-GEO constellation of satellites including a first plurality of satellites orbiting at a first inclination, wherein each of the satellites in the first plurality of satellites is in a discrete planar orbit to form a first snake of satellites, the first snake of satellites including adjacent satellites in adjacent orbits having adjacent RAAN (Right Ascension of the Ascending Node), wherein the Earth-based terminal is positioned and configured for continuous communication with at least one satellite from the non-GEO constellation of satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan F. C. Herman, Stephen Mance, Paul A. Forquera, Mark Krebs
  • SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS
    Publication number: 20210070477
    Abstract: A method of communication with a non-GEO constellation of satellites, includes providing an Earth-based terminal configured for communication with a satellite constellation, and establishing communication between the Earth-based terminal and a non-GEO constellation of satellites, the non-GEO constellation of satellites including a first plurality of satellites orbiting at a first inclination, wherein each of the satellites in the first plurality of satellites is in a discrete planar orbit to form a first snake of satellites, the first snake of satellites including adjacent satellites in adjacent orbits having adjacent RAAN (Right Ascension of the Ascending Node), wherein the Earth-based terminal is positioned and configured for continuous communication with at least one satellite from the non-GEO constellation of satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan F.C. Herman, Stephen Mance, Paul A. Forquera, Mark Krebs
  • Satellite constellations
    Patent number: 10843822
    Abstract: A constellation of satellites includes a first plurality of satellites orbiting at a first inclination, wherein the first plurality of satellites are each in a discrete planar orbit to form a first snake of satellites, the first snake of satellites including adjacent satellites in adjacent orbits having adjacent RAAN (Right Ascension of the Ascending Node).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan F. C. Herman, Stephen Mance, Paul Forquera, Mark Krebs