Patent US1599202A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3995801A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3995801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of storing spare satellites in orbit
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1974-07-05
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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Expires: 1994-07-05
Abstract
Abstract One or more satellites are stored or parked in a quasi-equatorial orbit in an inoperative or nonoperating state for subsequent operation in an equatorial plane at synchronous altitude and maintained in that plane thereafter by north-south station-keeping control systems. The satellite is launched in a slightly inclined orbit relative to the equatorial plane of the earth to limit the inclination that may be induced by perturbations for significantly long periods of time during the stored or parked mode without the need for north-south station-keeping control systems aboard the satellite for orbit adjustments.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Spencer Bond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:05
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/10; B64G1/1085; H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1851; H04B7/18519; B64G1/22; B64G1/24; B64G1/242; B64G1/2429; B64G1/244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A method of operating a satellite system including at least one operating satellite in geo-stationary orbit, and at least one spare satellite, said spare satellite being stored in orbit for subsequent use on command and having means responsive to suitable commands for altering its orbit by thrust propulsion means which include north-south station-keeping means, comprising the steps of: a. launching a spare satellite into an inclined progressively changing orbit at a substantially synchronous altitude such that Ω is selected to minimize the maximum inclination of the orbit throughout a predetermined time period defining the storage life of the satellite, wherein Ω is the right ascension of the ascending node, b. selecting the inclination of said spare satellite to be initially 7°20' or less in accordance with said predetermined time period, c. selecting the right ascension of the ascending node Ω to be between 180° and 360° whereby, during said predetermined time period, the orbit inclination remains bounded without ever operating said north-south station-keeping means while stored in orbit prior to said subsequent use on command, d. testing periodically the operability of said spare satellite but otherwise maintaining a nonoperating condition of said spare satellite in said orbit, and e. in the event said operating satellite fails to operate, altering on command by the use of said thrust propulsion means the orbit inclination of said spare satellite to substantially zero whereby said spare satellite is moved from its stored orbit to a geo-stationary orbit for operational use in said geo-stationary orbit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
A method of operating a satellite system including at least one operating satellite in geo-stationary orbit, and at least one spare satellite, said spare satellite being stored in orbit for subsequent use on command and having means responsive to suitable commands for altering its orbit by thrust propulsion means which include north-south station-keeping means, comprising the steps of: a. launching a spare satellite into an inclined progressively changing orbit at a substantially synchronous altitude such that Ω is selected to minimize the maximum inclination of the orbit throughout a predetermined time period defining the storage life of the satellite, wherein Ω is the right ascension of the ascending node, b. selecting the inclination of said spare satellite to be initially 7°20' or less in accordance with said predetermined time period, c. selecting the right ascension of the ascending node Ω to be between 180° and 360° whereby, during said predetermined time period, the orbit inclination remains bounded without ever operating said north-south station-keeping means while stored in orbit prior to said subsequent use on command, d. testing periodically the operability of said spare satellite but otherwise maintaining a nonoperating condition of said spare satellite in said orbit, and e. in the event said operating satellite fails to operate, altering on command by the use of said thrust propulsion means the orbit inclination of said spare satellite to substantially zero whereby said spare satellite is moved from its stored orbit to a geo-stationary orbit for operational use in said geo-stationary orbit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of maintaining said spare satellite in operating condition in said geo-stationary orbit by north-south station-keeping means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-07 | 1980-06-07 | 1980-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-06-07 | 1984-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-07 | 1988-06-07 | 1988-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |