Satellite Radial Thrusters for Virtual Orbit Threat Evasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellites in a constellation are vulnerable to debris collisions and hostile actions due to their inability to maneuver extensively without degrading constellation performance, limiting their ability to evade threats through altitude or position changes.
Innovation Solution
The use of radial thrusters positioned on a satellite's nadir-facing and anti-nadir sides allows for the creation of a virtual low Earth orbit with a different altitude but matching orbital period, enabling the satellite to alter its altitude without changing latitude or longitude, thus maintaining mission functions while evading threats or surveilling other satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellites maintain prescribed positions in a constellation to ensure service performance, then constellation performance is maintained, but satellites cannot maneuver to evade debris collisions or hostile actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of orbital manipulation by enabling satellites to operate in virtual orbits at different altitudes while maintaining the same orbital period. This allows satellites to move vertically (altitude changes) without affecting their horizontal positioning relative to other constellation members, thus evading threats while maintaining constellation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the altitude parameter of the satellite orbit while keeping the orbital period constant. By using radial thrusters to alter altitude without changing the orbital period, satellites can move to different vertical positions (virtual orbits) to evade debris or hostile actions while maintaining their synchronized operation with the constellation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If satellites execute large longitude or latitude maneuvers to evade threats, then satellites can avoid debris and hostile actions, but constellation performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maneuvering in the traditional horizontal dimensions (longitude and latitude) that affect constellation geometry, the patent enables vertical maneuvering in the altitude dimension. Satellites can move up or down to virtual orbits at different altitudes while maintaining the same orbital period, thus evading threats without disrupting constellation performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radial thrusters are used to alter satellite altitude, then satellites can create virtual orbits for threat evasion and surveillance, but additional propulsion systems increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The radial thrusters serve multiple functions: they enable threat evasion by moving satellites to virtual orbits at different altitudes, provide surveillance capabilities by positioning satellites above or below target satellites, and maintain orbital period synchronization. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile operational capabilities.
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
This solution enhances the satellite's ability to evade debris and hostile actions by allowing controlled altitude changes without compromising performance, while also enabling surveillance capabilities by positioning the satellite in a virtual orbit relative to a target satellite.
Implementation Method 1
commanding the at least one radial thruster to generate thrust sufficient to alter an altitude of the satellite and maintain the satellite in a virtual low Earth orbit
Data Source
AI summary
An orbiting satellite can be maintained in a virtual orbit, having an orbital period equal to the natural orbit of a satellite at a different altitude, by equipping the satellite with at least one radial thruster. Radial thrusters on the anti-nadir-facing side of the satellite allow for virtual orbits higher than the natural altitude, while radial thrusters on the nadir-facing side of the satellite allow for virtual orbits lower than the natural altitude. This allows a satellite to evade threats, such as orbital debris and/or hostile spacecraft, without losing its relative position within a satellite constellation or experiencing the diminished services often attendant such maneuvers. Similar techniques can also be used for surveillance of orbiting satellites.