Lower-Orbit Reserve Satellites for Random-Position Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a megaconstellation satellite cluster, replacing satellites lost due to failure or life fulfillment requires individual launches, which is costly and inefficient, especially when losses occur at random orbit positions.

Innovation Solution

Maintain a reserve satellite cluster at a lower orbit altitude than the operational cluster, allowing for simultaneous launch and orbital injection of replacement satellites to random positions, adjusting their orbits to match lost satellites' positions using propulsion devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual launches are used to replace lost satellites at random orbit positions, then satellite constellation maintenance reliability is improved, but launch costs and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite constellation maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidlaunch operational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-positioning reserve satellites in a standby orbit before they are needed. When a satellite is lost in the operational constellation, a reserve satellite is already available and can be quickly transferred to replace it, eliminating the need for complex individual launches and reducing response time while maintaining constellation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a standby orbit as an intermediary zone between Earth and the operational constellation. Reserve satellites are first deployed to this intermediate orbit, where they remain ready for rapid deployment. This intermediary orbit simplifies the replacement process by providing a staging area that reduces the complexity of direct insertion into specific operational positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If reserve satellites are positioned in standby orbit, then response time for satellite replacement is reduced, but additional propellant and orbital adjustment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite replacement response timeVSAvoidpropellant consumption for orbital adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orbital parameters of reserve satellites to match those of the operational constellation satellites. By adjusting the standby orbit's altitude and inclination to correspond with operational orbits, the propellant required for final position matching is minimized, reducing energy consumption while maintaining rapid response capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If large numbers of satellites are launched in a lump, then initial preparation costs are reduced, but maintenance flexibility for random satellite losses decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial constellation deployment efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the satellite constellation into operational satellites and reserve satellites. The operational satellites are deployed in large numbers efficiently, while reserve satellites are separately positioned in standby orbit. This segmentation allows bulk deployment benefits while maintaining flexibility for individual replacement operations, as reserves can be independently activated when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables low-cost, efficient replacement of satellites at random orbit positions within a megaconstellation by launching multiple satellites in a lump, reducing maintenance costs and time required for orbital adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting their orbits to match lost satellites' positions using propulsion devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPropulsion: Rocket

Data Source

PatentUS12397933B2Method, processing circuitry, and computer readable medium intended for use with a satellite constellation including one hundred or more satellites

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A reserve satellite cluster including a plurality of satellites stands by at an orbit altitude lower than an orbit altitude of a steadily operated satellite cluster in a satellite constellation. In a case where a satellite configuring the steadily operated satellite cluster has been lost, a satellite, existing around a lost orbital position that is an orbital position where a satellite has been lost in the steadily operated satellite cluster, among satellites configuring the reserve satellite cluster is injected into the lost orbital position in an orbit.