Flight trajectory prediction device

A coordinated satellite network with monitoring and communication systems facilitates near real-time detection and rapid response to flying objects by integrating a defense information integration center and flight path prediction, addressing the challenges of LEO satellite monitoring and communication complexity.

JP7756739B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-20MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024026799
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-02-19
Filing Date
2024-02-26
Publication Date
2025-10-20
Estimated Expiration
2042-02-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Monitoring flying objects from low earth orbit requires a large number of satellites and constant communication lines, and the movement of LEO satellites complicates the configuration of monitoring and communication systems, making real-time detection and response challenging.

Method used

A system comprising a group of monitoring satellites with monitoring devices and a communication network of satellites, integrated with a defense information integration center, to quickly and accurately transmit flying object information to a response system using a flight path prediction device and countermeasure assets.

Benefits of technology

Enables near real-time transmission of flying object information and rapid, accurate response to flying objects using a coordinated satellite network and integrated defense systems.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a flying object coping system which can transmit in near real time flying object information to a coping system by detecting flying object shooting by utilizing a surveillance system having a surveillance satellite group equipped with a surveillance device and a satellite information transmission system forming a communication network with a communication satellite group and quickly and accurately cope with a flying object.SOLUTION: A surveillance satellite (100) of a surveillance system (310) transmits flying object information, which is generated by monitoring a flying object (520), to a coping system (330) via a communication satellite (200) of a communication system. A defense information integration center (350) includes a communication route search device (470) for satellite information, a flight path prediction device (490) predicting a flight path of a flying object, and a coping asset selection device (333). The defense information integration center (350) transmits an instruction command to a surveillance satellite group included in the surveillance system (310), a communication satellite group included in the communication system (320), and a coping asset (332).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a missile countermeasure system, a defense information integration center, a communication route search device, a flight path prediction device, a countermeasure asset selection device, an equatorial satellite system, a polar orbiting satellite system, and a surveillance satellite. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the emergence of flying objects that glide at supersonic speeds, there are high expectations for satellite monitoring to detect the launch of the flying object, track its flight path, and predict its landing position. A promising method for detecting and tracking flying objects in the gliding phase is to use infrared light to detect the temperature rise caused by atmospheric friction when the flying object enters the atmosphere. Furthermore, a promising method for infrared detection of flying objects in the gliding phase is monitoring from a constellation of low-earth orbiting satellites.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring satellite for comprehensively monitoring an area at a specific latitude on the entire Earth's surface using a small number of satellites orbiting in low orbit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-137439 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In monitoring from low earth orbit, the distance from the satellite to the flying object is shorter than in monitoring from geostationary orbit. This makes it possible to improve infrared detection performance. A huge number of LEO satellites are required for constant monitoring and maintaining communication lines. Furthermore, unlike geostationary satellites, which appear almost fixed relative to an Earth-fixed coordinate system, LEO satellites constantly move in position. Therefore, the monitoring equipment equipped with infrared monitoring devices, the configuration of the communication satellite constellation, and the data transmission method become issues.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a flying object response system that uses a monitoring system having a group of monitoring satellites equipped with monitoring devices and a satellite information transmission system that forms a communication network using a group of communication satellites to detect the launch of a flying object, transmit the flying object information to a response system in quasi-real time, and can respond to the flying object quickly and accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The flight path prediction device according to the present disclosure comprises: a monitoring system comprising a plurality of monitoring satellites each having a monitoring device and a communication device; a communications system comprising a plurality of communications satellites each comprising a communications device; a countermeasure system located on land, sea, or air and including countermeasure assets for countering missiles; Equipped with The monitoring system includes: A flying object countermeasure system that transmits flying object information generated by monitoring the flying object to the countermeasure system via the communication system, The projectile countermeasure system comprises: a defense information integration center including a communication route search device for satellite information, a flight path prediction device for predicting the flight path of a flying object, and a response asset selection device; The communication route search device The communication start time, the position coordinates, and the position coordinates of the destination of the flying object information are input as input conditions. a list of a series of satellite IDs consisting of the communication satellite IDs and monitoring satellite IDs that form the optimum route, which is obtained by searching for an optimum route by linking together the communication satellite IDs and monitoring satellite IDs that transmit the aerial object information, and a predicted time when one of the communication satellites and the monitoring satellites having the satellite ID in the series of satellite IDs will transmit the aerial object information to the next one of the communication satellites and the monitoring satellites having the satellite ID in the series of satellite IDs; a command to give a communication command to a group of communication satellites having the communication satellite ID; is the product, Searching for the optimum route for transmitting the flying object information in the shortest time; The Defense Information Integration Center, Sending a command to a group of monitoring satellites of the monitoring system, a group of communication satellites of the communication system, and the response asset; The flight path prediction device Based on the transition of time-series position information of the flying object information received from the monitoring system, flight path prediction information including future time and position information is generated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the flying object countermeasure system of the present disclosure, flying object information can be transmitted to the countermeasure system in near real time. Furthermore, according to the flying object countermeasure system of the present disclosure, it is possible to quickly and accurately counter flying objects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the system configuration of a flying object countermeasure system 1000. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the configuration of a satellite constellation forming system 600. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing an example of the configuration of a satellite 620 of the satellite constellation forming system 600. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is another diagram showing the configuration of a satellite 620 of the satellite constellation forming system 600 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing an example of a satellite constellation 610 having multiple orbital planes that intersect outside the polar regions. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing information transmission from the defense information integration center 350 to the response system 330. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the transmission of flying object information measured by a monitoring satellite A to a response system 330. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the transmission of flying object information measured by a monitoring satellite B to a response system 330. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the transmission of flying object information measured by a monitoring satellite C to a response system 330. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the transmission of flying object information measured by the monitoring satellite N+1 to the response system 330. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram according to the first embodiment, illustrating a flight path prediction device 490. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram according to the first embodiment, illustrating a treatment asset selection device 333. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Joint Defense Information Center 350. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Joint Defense Information Center 350. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Joint Defense Information Center 350. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram according to the first embodiment, showing the processing of the flight path prediction device 490. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram according to the first embodiment, showing the processing of the flight path prediction device 490. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the description of the embodiments and drawings, the same elements and corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description of elements denoted by the same reference numerals will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. In the following embodiments, "unit" may be read as "circuit," "step," "procedure," "process," or "circuitry" as appropriate.

[0011] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows an example configuration of an airborne object countermeasure system 1000. The airborne object countermeasure system 1000 includes a monitoring system 310, a communication system 320, and a countermeasure system 330. The monitoring system 310 includes multiple monitoring satellites 100 equipped with monitoring devices and communication devices. The communication system 320 includes multiple communication satellites 200 equipped with communication devices. The countermeasure system 330 includes one or more countermeasure assets 332 located on land, sea, or air and that counter airborne objects. In Fig. 1, the countermeasure system 330 includes two countermeasure assets 332.

[0012] In the flying object response system 1000, the monitoring satellite 100 of the monitoring system 310 monitors the flying object 520 and transmits the generated flying object information to the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320, and the communication system 320 transmits the flying object information to the response system 330.

[0013] 1, the airborne object countermeasure system 1000 includes a defense information integration center 350 that includes a satellite information communication route search device 470, a flight path prediction device 490 that predicts the flight path of the airborne object, and a countermeasure asset selection device 333. The defense information integration center 350 transmits commands to the monitoring satellites of the monitoring system 310, the communication satellites of the communication system 320, and the countermeasure asset 332.

[0014] 2 to 4, an example of satellites 620 and ground equipment 700 in a satellite constellation forming system 600 that forms a satellite constellation 610 will be described. The satellite constellation forming system 600 may be simply referred to as a satellite constellation.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an example configuration of a satellite constellation forming system 600. The satellite constellation forming system 600 includes a computer. While Fig. 2 shows the configuration of one computer, in reality, a computer is provided for each of the multiple satellites 620 that make up the satellite constellation 610 and for each of the ground facilities 700 that communicate with the satellites 620. The computers provided for each of the multiple satellites 620 and for each of the ground facilities 700 that communicate with the satellites 620 work together to realize the functions of the satellite constellation forming system 600. An example configuration of a computer that realizes the functions of the satellite constellation forming system 600 will be described below.

[0016] The satellite constellation forming system 600 includes a satellite 620 and a ground facility 700. The satellite 620 includes a communication device 622 that communicates with a communication device 950 of the ground facility 700. In Fig. 2, the communication device 622 is illustrated as one of the components included in the satellite 620.

[0017] The satellite constellation forming system 600 includes a processor 910, as well as other hardware such as a memory 921, an auxiliary storage device 922, an input interface 930, an output interface 940, and a communication device 950. The processor 910 is connected to the other hardware via signal lines and controls the other hardware.

[0018] The satellite constellation forming system 600 includes, as a functional element, a satellite constellation forming unit 911. The functions of the satellite constellation forming unit 911 are realized by hardware or software. The satellite constellation forming unit 911 controls the formation of the satellite constellation 610 while communicating with the satellites 620.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a satellite 620 of the satellite constellation forming system 600. The satellite 620 includes a satellite control device 621, a communication device 622, a propulsion device 623, an attitude control device 624, and a power supply device 625. The satellite 620 may also include other components that realize various functions, but Fig. 3 will explain the satellite control device 621, the communication device 622, the propulsion device 623, the attitude control device 624, and the power supply device 625. The satellite 620 in Fig. 3 is an example of a communication satellite 200 that includes a communication device 622.

[0020] The satellite control device 621 is a computer that controls the propulsion device 623 and the attitude control device 624, and includes a processing circuit. Specifically, the satellite control device 621 controls the propulsion device 623 and the attitude control device 624 in accordance with various commands transmitted from the ground facility 700. The communication device 622 is a device that communicates with the ground facility 700. Alternatively, the communication device 622 is a device that communicates with satellites 620 before and after in the same orbital plane, or with satellites 620 in adjacent orbital planes. Specifically, the communication device 622 transmits various data related to its own satellite to the ground facility 700 or other satellites 620. The communication device 622 also receives various commands transmitted from the ground facility 700. The propulsion device 623 is a device that applies thrust to the satellite 620 and changes the speed of the satellite 620. The attitude control device 624 is a device that controls attitude elements such as the attitude of the satellite 620, the angular velocity of the satellite 620, and the line of sight (LOS). The attitude control device 624 changes each attitude element in a desired direction. Alternatively, the attitude control device 624 maintains each attitude element in a desired direction. The attitude control device 624 includes an attitude sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The attitude sensors are devices such as gyroscopes, earth sensors, sun sensors, star trackers, thrusters, and magnetic sensors. The actuators are devices such as attitude control thrusters, momentum wheels, reaction wheels, and control moment gyros. The controller controls the actuators according to the measurement data of the attitude sensors or various commands from the ground equipment 700. The power supply unit 625 includes devices such as solar cells, batteries, and power control devices, and supplies power to each device on board the satellite 620.

[0021] The processing circuit provided in the satellite control device 621 will now be described. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a processor that executes a program stored in memory. In the processing circuit, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware and the remaining functions may be realized by software or firmware. In other words, the processing circuit may be realized by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Specifically, the dedicated hardware may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows another example of the configuration of a satellite 620 of the satellite constellation forming system 600. The satellite 620 of FIG. 4 includes a monitoring device 626 in addition to the configuration of FIG. 3. The monitoring device 626 is a device for monitoring objects. Specifically, the monitoring device 626 is a device for monitoring or observing objects such as space objects, air vehicles, or land, sea, and air vehicles. The monitoring device 626 is also referred to as an observation device. For example, the monitoring device 626 is an infrared monitoring device that uses infrared rays to detect the temperature rise caused by atmospheric friction when an air vehicle enters the atmosphere. The monitoring device 626 detects the temperature of the plume or the air vehicle itself at the time of launch. Alternatively, the monitoring device 626 may be an optical or radio wave information gathering device. The monitoring device 626 may also be a device that detects objects using an optical system. The monitoring device 626 uses an optical system to photograph objects flying at an altitude different from the orbital altitude of the observation satellite. Specifically, the monitoring device 626 may be a visible optical sensor. 4 is an example of a monitoring satellite 100 equipped with a monitoring device 626 and a communication device 622. The monitoring satellite 100 may be equipped with multiple monitoring devices 626. The monitoring satellite 100 may also be equipped with multiple types of monitoring devices.

[0023] <Method of forming a satellite constellation> The following describes a satellite constellation 610 formed by the satellite constellation forming system 600. The satellite constellation 610 is formed by the ground equipment 700 controlling the satellites 620.

[0024] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a satellite constellation 610 having multiple orbital planes that intersect outside the polar regions, as an example of a satellite constellation 610. The monitoring system 310 and the communication system 320 are formed as the satellite constellation 610. In the satellite constellation 610 of FIG. 5, the orbits are inclined orbits.

[0025] The monitoring system 310 has one or more monitoring satellites 100 equipped with an infrared monitoring device. The monitoring satellite 100 causes the infrared monitoring device to detect the plume at the time of launch of the flying object 520 shown in FIG. 1 and the flying object 520 as it flies with an increased temperature as high-temperature objects. The monitoring satellite 100 transmits, as flying object information, information including the time when the infrared monitoring device detected the high-temperature object and at least one of location information indicating the location of the monitoring satellite 100 equipped with the infrared monitoring device and location information indicating the location of the flying object.

[0026] The communication system 320 comprises a plurality of communication satellites 00, which are cross-linked by on-board communication devices to form a communication network. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing information transmission from the defense information integration center 350 to the response system 330. As shown in Fig. 6, the defense information integration center 350 uses a communication route search device 470 to search for the shortest communication route for information transmission, and transmits an information transmission command to the communication satellite 200 that constitutes the searched communication route.

[0027] 7 is a diagram showing the transmission of flying object information measured by monitoring satellite A to response system 330 via communication satellite 200. Refer to Fig. 7. After monitoring satellite A of monitoring system 310 detects the launch of flying object 520, Defense Information Joint Center 350 acquires the launch detection information transmitted by monitoring satellite A via communication satellite 200. The defense information integration center 350 transmits, via the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320, information including the launch detection time of the flying object 520 and location information indicating the location of at least one of the flying object and the monitoring satellite A, as flying object information to the response system 330. In this case, the defense information integration center 350 can transmit the flying object information to the response system 330 via the communication system 320.

[0028] See Figure 7. The Defense Information Integration Center 350 uses the communication route search device 470 to search for the shortest route of the communication network formed by the communication satellites from the position coordinates where the monitoring satellite A issued the flying object information to the position coordinates of the response system 330, and sends an information transmission command to the communication satellites on the communication path of the shortest route. In addition, the Defense Information Integration Center 350 transmits to the response system 330, as missile information, information including the time of detection of the missile launch and at least one of location information indicating the position of monitoring satellite A and location information indicating the launch point position of the missile.

[0029] 8 is a diagram showing how the flying object information measured by the monitoring satellite B is transmitted to the response system 330 via the communication satellite 200. Please refer to FIG. After the launch of the missile, the defense information joint center 350 transmits the missile information of the defense center to the group of monitoring satellites flying around monitoring satellite A via the communication system 320. The defense information joint center 350 uses the communication route search device 470 to search for the shortest route in the communication network of the group of communication satellites from the position coordinates indicated by the position information of monitoring satellite B to the position coordinates of the response system 330, and transmits an information transmission command to the group of communication satellites on the communication path of the shortest route. The defense information integration center 350 notifies the countermeasure system 330 via the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320, (1) The time when the high temperature object was detected, (2) Position coordinates indicating the position of monitoring satellite B at the time of detection; (3) Brightness information based on the detection of monitoring satellite B; is transmitted as flying object information.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the transmission of airborne object information measured by monitoring satellite C to response system 330 via communication satellite 200. Refer to FIG. 9. Defense Information Joint Center 350 transmits defense center-side airborne object information to a group of monitoring satellites flying near monitoring satellite B via a communication satellite of communication system 320. When monitoring satellite C detects a high-temperature object, Defense Information Joint Center 350 uses communication route search device 470 to search for the shortest route in the communication network from the position coordinates of monitoring satellite C to the position coordinates of response system 330, and transmits an information transmission command to the group of communication satellites on the communication path of the shortest route. Then, Defense Information Joint Center 350 transmits the time the monitoring satellite detected the high-temperature object, the position coordinates indicating the position of monitoring satellite C at the time of detection, and brightness information based on the detection by monitoring satellite C to response system 330 as airborne object information via communication satellite 200 of communication system 320.

[0031] 10 is a diagram showing how the flying object information measured by the monitoring satellite N+1 is transmitted to the response system 330 via the communication satellite 200. Please refer to FIG. The defense information integration center 350 transmits defense center side flying object information to the group of monitoring satellites flying near the monitoring satellite N via the communication satellite of the communication system 320. When the monitoring satellite N+1 detects a high temperature object, the defense information integration center 350 uses the communication route search device 470 to search for the shortest route in the communication network from the position coordinates of the monitoring satellite N+1 to the position coordinates of the response asset 332, and transmits an information transmission command to the group of communication satellites on the communication path of the shortest route. Then, the defense information integration center 350 sends, via the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320, For the response system 330, (1) The time when the high-temperature object was detected by the monitoring satellite N+1, (2) Position coordinates indicating the position of monitoring satellite N+1 at the time of detection; (3) brightness information based on the detection of monitoring satellite N+1; is transmitted as flying object information.

[0032] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the flight path prediction device 490. Please refer to Fig. 11. The flight path prediction device 490 generates flight path prediction information made up of future time and position information, based on the transition of time-series position information of the flying object information received from the monitoring satellite 100 via the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 20.

[0033] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the response asset selection device 333. Please refer to Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 12, the response system 330 includes a plurality of response assets 332. The response asset selection device 333 selects a response asset 332 located near the position coordinates where the flying object is predicted to pass or arrive, based on the flight path prediction information generated by the flight path prediction device 490, and transmits a command signal for response action to the selected response asset 332. The transmission path of the command signal from the response asset selection device 333 to the response asset 332 may be via the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320 or a terrestrial line.

[0034] In addition, the flight path prediction device 490 possessed by the Defense Information Joint Center 350 may be configured to generate flight path prediction information including future time and position information based on the transition of time-series position information of the flying object information, and if any of the monitoring satellites B, C, N, or N+1 that detected a high-temperature object detects the high-temperature object after monitoring satellite A transmits launch detection information, the flight path prediction device 490 may be configured to predict the direction of movement of the flying object based on the position coordinates of the monitoring satellite that detected the high-temperature object, and generate flight path prediction information.

[0035] See Fig. 12. A countermeasure asset selection device 333 selects a countermeasure asset 332 located near the flight path prediction information generated by the flight path prediction device 490 from among a plurality of countermeasure assets 332 with different position coordinates. The defense information integration center 350 transmits the missile information and a countermeasure action command to the countermeasure asset 332.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Defense Information Joint Center 350. Please refer to FIG. 13. The communication route search device 470 (1) Commencement time; (2) position coordinates, and (3) The location coordinates of the recipient of the flying object information; is the input condition. The communication route search device 470 searches for the optimal route by stringing together the satellite IDs that transmit the aerial vehicle information, and generates a list of the series of satellite IDs and the predicted times when the satellite will transmit the aerial vehicle information to the next satellite, as well as a command to give a communication command to the group of communication satellites. The communication route search device 470 (1) Prediction error of the actual orbit of the communications satellite flight position relative to the planned orbit, (2) The predicted time error of passing through a specific location coordinate, (3) delays caused by information transmission; (4) satellite movement distance due to prediction error and delay time; (5) Changes in the relative positions of nearby passing satellites due to satellite movement. This is included in the analysis of the route search to find the optimal route for transmitting flying object information in the shortest time.

[0037] FIG. 14 shows a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Defense Information Joint Center 350. Please refer to FIG. 14. The communication route search device 470 receives a launch detection signal from a surveillance satellite as a command to start communication, (1) The coordinates of the location of the monitoring satellite that emitted the launch detection signal; (2) The coordinates of the location where the missile launch was detected; (3) and the range of change in the field of view of the monitoring satellite are input conditions. The communication route search device 470 searches for the optimal route by stringing together the satellite IDs that transmit the aerial vehicle information, and generates a list of the series of satellite IDs and the predicted times when the satellite will transmit the aerial vehicle information to the next satellite, as well as a command to give a communication command to the group of communication satellites. The communication route search device 470 searches for a nearby passing monitoring satellite ID that can monitor the vicinity of the projectile launch point, including changes in field of view, and performs a search for the projectile information transmission time, the monitoring satellite ID, and the optimal route to transmit the projectile information to the monitoring ID.

[0038] FIG. 15 shows a communication route search device 470 possessed by the Defense Information Joint Center 350. Please refer to FIG. 15. The communication route search device 470 receives a launch detection signal from a surveillance satellite as a command to start communication, (1) The coordinates of the location of the monitoring satellite that emitted the launch detection signal; (2) The coordinates of the location where the missile launch was detected; (3) The range of change of the field of view of the surveillance satellite; (4) and the location coordinates of the nearby passing monitoring satellite that has transmitted information on the flying object in the past, which has emitted a high temperature detection signal; (5) the coordinates of the location where the high-temperature object was detected; (6) The range of change in the field of view of the monitoring satellite is used as an input condition. The communication route search device 470 searches for an optimal route by stringing together satellite IDs that transmit airborne object information, and generates a list of the series of satellite IDs and the predicted times at which the satellite will transmit airborne object information to the next satellite, and a command that issues a communication command to the group of communication satellites. The communication route search device 470 searches for a nearby passing monitoring satellite ID that can monitor the vicinity of the high-temperature object detection position, including changes in field of view, and performs a search for the airborne object information transmission time, monitoring satellite ID, and the optimal route until the airborne object information is transmitted to the monitoring ID.

[0039] Fig. 16 shows the processing of the flight path prediction device 490. Please refer to Fig. 16. When a monitoring satellite 100 equipped with multiple monitoring devices in a monitoring system 310 detects a significant high-temperature object, it transmits detection time information, a monitoring satellite ID, a monitoring device ID, and monitoring data as flying object information to the Defense Information Joint Center 350 via the communication system 320. The flight path prediction device 490 equipped in the Defense Information Joint Center 350 derives the position information and traveling direction of the monitoring satellite with that ID at the time of detection in the flying object information, and the line-of-sight direction of the monitoring device with that ID, and extracts the high-temperature object brightness from the monitoring data to derive a line-of-sight vector pointing to the high-temperature object.

[0040] Fig. 17 shows the processing of the flight path prediction device 490. Please refer to Fig. 17. The flight path prediction device 490 provided in the Defense Information Joint Center 350 arranges the line-of-sight vectors of high-temperature objects derived from the flight object information of multiple monitoring satellites 100 in chronological order in an Earth-fixed coordinate system, and predicts the position coordinates of the flight object over time based on the principle of spatial triangulation.

[0041] In addition, when multiple flying objects are launched at short intervals, the configuration may be such that the flying object information obtained from multiple monitoring satellites is integrated and the flying object whose path is predicted by the flight path prediction device is determined to be multiple different flying objects.

[0042] The multiple monitoring satellites 100 of the monitoring system 310 may be an equatorial satellite system consisting of a constellation of six or more equatorial monitoring satellites flying in equatorial orbits with the same mean orbital altitude. The equatorial monitoring satellite constellation forms a communication crosslink with monitoring satellites flying ahead and behind in the same orbital plane. At least one or more equatorial monitoring satellites forms a communication crosslink with the countermeasure system 330 or the defense information integration center 350, and transmits orbital object information to the countermeasure system 330 or the defense information integration center 350 without the intervention of the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320.

[0043] The multiple monitoring satellites 100 of the monitoring system 310 may be a polar orbiting satellite system consisting of a constellation of six or more polar orbiting monitoring satellites flying in polar orbits with the same mean orbital altitude in the same orbital plane. The polar orbiting monitoring satellites form communication crosslinks with the polar orbiting monitoring satellites flying ahead and behind them. At least one or more polar orbiting satellites form communication crosslinks with the countermeasure system 330 or the defense information integration center 350, and transmit orbital object information to the countermeasure system 330 or the defense information integration center 350 without the intervention of the communication satellite 200 of the communication system 320.

[0044] In addition, the monitoring satellite 100 of the monitoring system 310 may be configured to fly between the communication satellites 200 of the communication system 320 in the orbital plane in which the communication satellites 200 fly, form communication crosslinks with the preceding and succeeding communication satellites 200, and transmit information about the flying object to the response system 330 or the defense information integration center 350 via the communication system 320.

[0045] ***Effects of the First Embodiment*** According to the flying object countermeasure system 1000 of the first embodiment, the monitoring system 310, the communication system 320, and the defense information integration center 350 cooperate with each other to transmit flying object information to the countermeasure system 330 in quasi-real time. Furthermore, according to the flying object countermeasure system 1000 of the first embodiment, the defense information integration center 350 is equipped with the communication route search device 470, the flight path prediction device 490, and the countermeasure asset selection device 333, so that it is possible to counter flying objects quickly and accurately. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 surveillance satellite, 200 communications satellite, 310 surveillance system, 320 communications system, 330 countermeasure system, 332 countermeasure asset, 333 countermeasure asset selection device, 350 Defense Information Integration Center, 470 communications route search device, 490 flight path prediction device, 510 Earth, 520 airborne vehicle, 600 satellite constellation formation system, 610 satellite constellation, 620 satellite, 621 satellite control device, 622 communications device, 623 propulsion device, 624 attitude control device, 625 power supply device, 626 surveillance device, 700 ground equipment, 910 processor, 911 satellite constellation formation unit, 921 memory, 922 auxiliary storage device, 930 input interface, 940 output interface, 950 communications device, 1000 airborne vehicle countermeasure system.

Claims

[Claim 1] a monitoring system comprising a plurality of monitoring satellites each having a monitoring device and a communication device; a communications system comprising a plurality of communications satellites each comprising a communications device; a countermeasure system located on land, sea, or air and including countermeasure assets for countering missiles; Equipped with The monitoring system includes: A flying object countermeasure system that transmits flying object information generated by monitoring the flying object to the countermeasure system via the communication system, The projectile countermeasure system comprises: a defense information integration center including a communication route search device for satellite information, a flight path prediction device for predicting the flight path of the flying object, and a countermeasure asset selection device; The communication route search device The communication start time, the position coordinates, and the position coordinates of the destination of the flying object information are input as input conditions. a list of a series of satellite IDs consisting of the communication satellite IDs and monitoring satellite IDs that form the optimum route, which is obtained by searching for an optimum route by linking together the communication satellite IDs and monitoring satellite IDs that transmit the aerial object information, and a predicted time when either the communication satellite or the monitoring satellite having the satellite ID in the series of satellite IDs will transmit the aerial object information to either the communication satellite or the monitoring satellite having the next satellite ID in the series of satellite IDs; a command to issue a communication command to a group of communication satellites having the communication satellite ID; is the product, Searching for the optimum route for transmitting the flying object information in the shortest time; The Defense Information Integration Center, Sending a command to a group of monitoring satellites of the monitoring system, a group of communication satellites of the communication system, and the response asset; The flight path prediction device A flight path prediction device that generates flight path prediction information including future times and position information of the flying object based on a transition of time-series position information of the flying object information received from the monitoring system, the plurality of monitoring satellites includes a constellation of monitoring satellites equipped with infrared monitoring devices; Each monitoring satellite of the monitoring satellite group equipped with the infrared monitoring device is The infrared monitoring device is caused to detect the plume at the time of launch of the flying object and the flying object flying with an increased temperature as high-temperature objects, and information including the detection time when the infrared monitoring device detected the high-temperature object and at least one of location information indicating the location of the monitoring satellite equipped with the infrared monitoring device and location information indicating the location of the flying object is transmitted as the flying object information; The flight path prediction device acquiring the flying object information from each monitoring satellite of the group of monitoring satellites equipped with the infrared monitoring device via a communication system; When the monitoring satellite A equipped with the infrared monitoring device detects the launch of the flying object, it transmits the flying object information including the launch detection time when the launch of the flying object was detected and the position coordinates indicating the position of at least one of the flying object and the monitoring satellite A as launch detection information, The flight path prediction device If at least one of the monitoring satellites equipped with the infrared monitoring device detects the high-temperature object after the monitoring satellite A transmits the launch detection information, a flight path prediction device predicts the direction of movement of the flying object based on the flying object information from the monitoring satellite that detected the high-temperature object and the position coordinates of the monitoring satellite that detected the high-temperature object, and generates the flight path prediction information.

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