Patent ID: 8744344
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A satellite communication system comprising: m primary satellites, each equipped to project N/m beams onto an area, the N/m beams from each primary satellite projected across the area in a loosely-packed array wherein beam spots from any one of the m primary satellites are separated by one beam width, wherein N is a total number of beams projected over the area by the m primary satellites and m is an integer greater than 1; and n back-up satellites, each equipped, disposed, and configured to project N/m beams onto the area such that beam spots from any one of the n back-up satellites are positioned within gaps between the beam spots from the m primary satellites, wherein respective ones of the n back-up satellites are configured to respond to failure of a failed primary satellite by angularly redirecting its beams, without moving from an orbital position occupied by the respective ones of the n back-up satellites prior to the failure of the failed primary satellite, to cover the area previously covered by the beams from the failed primary satellite.