Abstract: A method of deploying a constellation of satellites includes using a single launch vehicle to deploy a plurality of satellites at an initial altitude on a same initial orbit, controlling said satellites such that an altitude of some of the satellites is modified while their inclination relative to an equatorial plane and a type of trajectory, of the some of the satellites, remains identical so that each satellite reaches a drift altitude selected from a drift set, with orbits of various satellites shifting relative to one another, and controlling the satellites to be moved sequentially in order to reach a same final altitude, said sequential movement being performed in such a manner that the satellites describe final orbits having trajectories with a same angle of inclination relative to the equatorial plane, a same apogee and perigee, and the same final altitude but presenting distinct longitudes for ascending nodes.

Abstract: A method of deploying a constellation of satellites, the method comprising the following steps: using a single launcher to deploy (10) a plurality of satellites at an initial altitude on an initial orbit; controlling said satellites (20) in such a manner that each satellite reaches a drift altitude selected from a drift set, with the orbits of the various satellites shifting (30) relative to one another at the respective drift altitudes under the effect of the gravitational potential of the Earth; and controlling (40) the satellites in such a manner as to be moved sequentially in order to reach the same final altitude, said sequential movement being performed in such a manner that the satellites describe final orbits that are angularly offset relative to one another.