Patent ID: 6577864
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B64G,H04B

Abstract:
A ground-to-satellite communication system comprising:a first ground communication system, including communication equipment therein, located at a first position on the earth; a second ground communication system including second communications system therein, located at a second position on the earth spaced from the first position; a plurality of satellites in orbits circling the earth, each satellite always having an orbital height which is lower than a height necessary for geosynchronous orbit, and each said satellite having communications equipment thereon, said communication equipment communicating with said ground stations, said satellites orbiting in elliptical orbits having apogees and perigees, and having ground tracks such that each said ground communication system is always able to track one satellite within a predetermined angular separation from the apogee point of at least one of said satellites, said first ground communication equipment transmitting information having a volume to one of said satellites which is near its apogee position and which receives said program, said one satellite including a storage memory thereon, said storage memory storing said program from said first ground communication equipment sent while said first satellite is near its apogee position over said first ground communication equipment, said first satellite thereafter orbiting to a position distant from said apogee position and then terminating said transmission, and thereafter orbiting to an apogee position over said second ground communication equipment, said first satellite communicating said program stored in said storage memory to said second ground communication equipment.