Invention:
This invention is a satellite control system. The system consists of a customized “smart skin” containing solar panels, power and control circuitry, and an embedded secondary propulsion system. A laser is used from a ground station or another spacecraft and is beamed towards the satellite. The satellite has onboard photovoltaics that act as a wake-up laser receiver. This approach enables a laser ground station or a spacecraft to broadcast commands to the spacecraft in times of emergency that would trigger operation of the secondary propulsion system to perform impulse maneuvers, altitude control maneuvers, and corrections.
Background:
This technology offers several benefits over existing techniques, such as low initial investment, low power usage, high bandwidth, and high security. The “over-congestion” of key satellite orbits greatly decreases their utility, as collisions become far more likely. Adding an actuated reflector to the spacecraft will enable laser ranging and two-way communication between ground station and the spacecraft, in a secure manner not currently available to RF communication systems. There is a need to develop secondary and backup systems to effectively move these satellites and perform traffic management of derelict satellites so that collision risks are minimized or eliminated.
Applications:
- On-orbit satellites
- Optical communication technology
- Small electronic devices
- Government & military
- Commercial & private entities
Advantages:
- Low cost
- Long-distance
- Increased data
- High bandwidth
- Secure transmission
Status: issued U.S. patent #11,368,212
