Several systems are being developed for satellite cellular telephone use. Examples are Iridium, Globalstar, ICO, and ELLIPSO. Systems designers seem to prefer sub-synchronous multi-satellite arrays over geostationary satellites as they can more easily communicate with small low-power handheld cellular telephones, and they also have less signal latency (time delay). The flexibility of the elliptic orbit allows a biasing of earth coverage towards a given latitude. Increased coverage is obtained by placing apogees in a stable orbit over a preferred latitude. If the orbit is both elliptical and sun-synchronous, it can also be biased towards a given (local) time of day. With apogees appearing during daytime, greater capacity is ensured during the peak usage hours for telephone communications. Tailored elliptical-orbit constellations may well become the paradigm for many of these new telecommunications space systems. Lower cost elliptic-orbit constellations, with fewer satellites, may well prove more profitable than circular arrays for many other space applications, as well.
Elliptical orbit constellations-a new paradigm for higher efficiency in space systems?
2000 IEEE Aerospace Conference. Proceedings (Cat. No.00TH8484) ; 7 ; 27-35 vol.7
2000-01-01
1132918 byte
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Elliptical Orbit Constellation- A New Paradigm for Higher Efficiency in Space Systems
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