Medium earth orbit augmentation of a global positioning system for global navigation

摘要

A satellite navigation system and method for improving overall navigation accuracy when used in conjunction with the existing Global Positioning System. At least twelve satellites reside in a plurality of medium earth orbits, each orbit having a period of at least three sidereal hours and less than one sidereal day, and an inclination angle between 35 and 75 degrees or between 105 and 145 degrees. The satellites are positioned within their orbits such that the vertical navigation accuracy provided by the system is at least 7.6 meters with at least 99.9% availability.