Radial Thruster Artificial Geosynchronous Orbit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellites in geosynchronous orbits are vulnerable to hostile actions due to predictable altitudes and fixed positions, limiting their ability to evade threats like orbital debris or deliberate attacks, as they cannot change altitude or longitude without losing contact with ground antennas.
Innovation Solution
Equipping satellites with radial thrusters, such as ion thrusters, to maintain an artificial geosynchronous orbit with an orbital period equal to a sidereal day at altitudes other than the natural 35,786 km, allowing for altitude adjustments without disrupting contact with ground antennas and enabling evasive maneuvers or surveillance positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a satellite is placed in a natural geosynchronous orbit at 35,786 km altitude, then it maintains a fixed position relative to Earth's surface, but it becomes vulnerable to hostile actions and cannot execute evasive maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies radial thrusters to dynamically adjust the satellite's altitude while maintaining geosynchronous orbital period. This allows the satellite to transition between different altitudes (including above and below 35,786 km) to evade threats, while using longitudinal control thrusters to maintain positional stability when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed position reliability and dynamic evasive capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orbital altitude parameter from the fixed natural geosynchronous value of 35,786 km to variable altitudes. By using radial thrusters to adjust altitude and longitudinal control thrusters to manage orbital period, the satellite can operate at different altitudes to avoid threats while maintaining communication capability, thus resolving the vulnerability issue
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a satellite changes altitude or longitude to evade threats, then it enhances security, but it loses contact with fixed ground antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses radial thrusters to dynamically adjust altitude and longitudinal control thrusters to maintain orbital period synchronization with Earth's rotation. This dynamic control system allows the satellite to move to different altitudes for threat avoidance while actively maintaining its geosynchronous characteristic, ensuring continuous contact with ground antennas throughout the maneuver
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a control system that monitors the satellite's orbital parameters and actively adjusts thrust from radial and longitudinal control thrusters to maintain geosynchronous orbital period. This feedback control ensures that even when altitude changes for evasive maneuvers, the satellite maintains proper synchronization with Earth's rotation to preserve ground antenna contact
3Adaptability or versatility
If radial thrusters are used to maintain artificial geosynchronous orbit at non-standard altitudes, then operational flexibility is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the propulsion system into distinct functional components: radial thrusters for altitude control and longitudinal control thrusters for orbital period management. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, managing overall system complexity while achieving the desired operational flexibility for artificial geosynchronous orbits
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 satellites to effectively evade threats and maintain contact with ground antennas while changing altitudes, enhancing security and operational flexibility by using radial thrusters to control orbital periods and positions.
Implementation Method 1
a first radial component of the non-gravitational force balances a first radial component of the gravitational force
Implementation Method 2
a longitudinal component of the non-gravitational force balances a longitudinal component of the gravitational force
Data Source
AI summary
An orbiting satellite can be maintained in a geosynchronous orbit (e.g., with an orbital period equal to one sidereal day) at an altitude other than 35,786 km by equipping the satellite with at least one radial thruster. Radial thrusters on the anti-Earth-facing side of the satellite allow for artificial geosynchronous orbits higher than the natural altitude, while radial thrusters on the Earth-facing side of the satellite allow for artificial geosynchronous orbits lower than the natural altitude. This allows a geosynchronous satellite to evade threats, such as orbital debris and/or hostile spacecraft, without losing signal to ground based antennas. Similar techniques can also be used for surveillance of satellites in geosynchronous orbits.