Satellite system and method of deploying same

Abstract

A satellite communication system has a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit and two later deployments of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit. The first deployment is, spaced so that the second deployment may be easily deployed and interleaved into the first deployment. A ground terminal is used for communicating with the satellites in the first and second deployments.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A communications system comprising: 
 a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit on an equatorial plane;    a second deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit on the equatorial plane interleaved with said first deployment.    
     
     
         2 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said medium earth orbit is substantially about 15000 km above the earth.  
     
     
         3 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first deployment reuses the same. frequencies as geostationary satellites.  
     
     
         4 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second deployment reuses the same frequencies as geostationary satellites.  
     
     
         5 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a third deployment of satellites deployed on an orbit inclined with respect to the equatorial plane.  
     
     
         6 . A communications system as recited in  claim 5  wherein said third deployment reuses the same frequencies as geostationary satellites.  
     
     
         7 . A satellite constellation as recited in  claim 1  wherein said satellites communicate at c, ku or ka bands.  
     
     
         8 . A communication system for mobile and fixed service users, comprising: 
 at least four satellites in a medium earth orbit spaced in a first configuration to provide semi-global coverage.;    at least one ground terminal having a fixed one-dimensional antenna; and    at least one ground terminal having a two-dimensional tracking antenna.    
     
     
         9 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least four satellites are position-adjustable satellites that are spaced apart such that subsequently deployed satellites can be interleaved therebetween.  
     
     
         10 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one ground terminal provides tracking and communication control at a fixed site.  
     
     
         11 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one ground terminal provides network operational control for various communications.  
     
     
         12 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one ground terminal provides satellite position control at a fixed site.  
     
     
         13 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one ground terminal is coupled to a terrestrial communications link.  
     
     
         14 . A communication system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the terrestrial communications link is a phone line.  
     
     
         15 . A communication system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the terrestrial communications link is a cable/television line.  
     
     
         16 . A communication system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a second plurality of satellites interleaved between said at least four satellites to increase the elevation angle at the most populated elevations.  
     
     
         17 . A communication system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one additional satellite deployed in a medium earth orbit and positioned between two adjacent satellites of the at least four satellites.  
     
     
         18 . A communication system as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising additional satellites in an inclined medium earth orbit.  
     
     
         19 . A communication system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said additional satellite uses more current technology than said at least four satellites.  
     
     
         20 . A communication system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said at least four satellites are in the equatorial plane.