Coordinated position maintenance of geostationary satellite cluster - measuring satellites optically relative to master within group for accurate control

摘要

The satellite cluster (1, 101 - 105) is maintained with accurate positioning within a defined tolerance window (20). All satellites move on a geostationary orbit having an elliptical shape. One of the satellites (1) is defined as a master and has additional on board navigation equipment. The navigation equipment includes an optical measurement system (11) mounted on a rotation and pivot mechanism and in range of all other satellites that carry reflectors with integrated receivers. The measurement system determines distance, and angle or doppler data in an area form + to - 45 degrees from the orbit plane and over 360 degrees around the orbit plane. The units are controlled to maintain required positions within the envelope. ADVANTAGE - Provides accurate relative orbit tuning.