Surveying satellite apparatus

Claim 1

A surveying satellite apparatus with an on-board attitude and ephemeris solution microprocessor comprising in combination: means for sensing at least one optical signal from a reference point, said sensing means providing a reference signal corresponding to each optical signal, means for detecting and converting each reference signal to an electrical signal, means for processing said electrical signals, said means for processing signals including a database, said database containing the characteristics of navigation references, said means for processing signals correlating said electrical signals to location prediction data to establish a frame of reference, said means for processing signals comparing said electrical signals with said frame of reference to establish attitude difference signals, said attitude difference signals are utilized by said means for processing signals to update attitude data of the satellite, and, means for establishing a grid database, said grid database means storing a grid database, said means for processing signals receiving and converting said reference signals to a visual display, said means for processing signals superimposing said grid database on said visual display to provide grid graphics, said means for processing signals applying a grid correction signal to said grid database means, said grid correction signal utilized by said means for processing signals to update ephemeris data of the satellite.