A satellite constellation (100) includes a plurality of artificial satellites (111 to 116) that number a multiple of 6. Each of the plurality of artificial satellites orbits in an inclined circular orbit a plurality of times a day. Normals to a plurality of orbital planes corresponding to the plurality of artificial satellites are shifted by an equal angle from each other in an azimuth direction. The plurality of orbital planes make up one or more orbital plane sets each consisting of six orbital planes. Timings at which the six artificial satellites orbit on the six orbital planes of each orbital plane set are synchronized with each other.

A method for capturing and deorbiting space debris includes: providing a space debris capturing device; deploying the space debris capturing device in planetary orbit; determining, via an onboard global positioning system unit, the position and orbit velocity of the space debris capturing device; receiving an initial target set including a first database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device; performing a first algorithm to convert the initial target set to an accessible target set including a second database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device, the second database is smaller than the first database; performing a second algorithm to convert the accessible target set to a final target set including a third database of space debris targets to be captured by the space debris capturing device, the third database is smaller than the second database; transferring the space debris capturing device to a position within a capture range of a first space debris target of the third database; capturing the first space debris target via a capture mechanism of the space debris capturing device; jettisoning the capture mechanism and the first captured space debris target into a decaying orbit; repeating the transferring, capturing, and jettisoning steps for all but a final one of the remaining space debris targets of the third database; and positioning the space debris capturing device and the final captured space debris target into a decaying orbit.

A method for capturing and deorbiting space debris includes: providing a space debris capturing device; deploying the space debris capturing device in planetary orbit; determining, via an onboard global positioning system unit, the position and orbit velocity of the space debris capturing device; receiving an initial target set including a first database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device; performing a first algorithm to convert the initial target set to an accessible target set including a second database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device, the second database is smaller than the first database; performing a second algorithm to convert the accessible target set to a final target set including a third database of space debris targets to be captured by the space debris capturing device, the third database is smaller than the second database; transferring the space debris capturing device to a position within a capture range of a first space debris target of the third database; capturing the first space debris target via a capture mechanism of the space debris capturing device; jettisoning the capture mechanism and the first captured space debris target into a decaying orbit; repeating the transferring, capturing, and jettisoning steps for all but a final one of the remaining space debris targets of the third database; and positioning the space debris capturing device and the final captured space debris target into a decaying orbit.

A satellite in accordance with the present teachings has plural “thin” (i.e., panel-like) segments, which are coupled together and extendable along the in-track direction of movement of the satellite. One or more of these segments, which is advantageously an antenna panel, has the ability to “roll” relative other segments. This enables the satellite to establish and maintain direct pointing of the antenna panel to a targeted area on the ground. The antenna panel includes linear, electronically steerable array.

A satellite in accordance with the present teachings has plural “thin” (i.e., panel-like) segments, which are coupled together and extendable along the in-track direction of movement of the satellite. One or more of these segments, which is advantageously an antenna panel, has the ability to “roll” relative other segments. This enables the satellite to establish and maintain direct pointing of the antenna panel to a targeted area on the ground. The antenna panel includes linear, electronically steerable array.

The present invention describes methods, systems, and devices for utilizing high-intensity regions within atmospheres of planetary bodies to receive and harvest electricity. Such high-intensity regions are formed as a result of the combined gravitational forces affecting a given planetary body and particularly the particles within the atmosphere of that planetary body. The combined gravitational forces result in a gravitational resonant frequency which affects the atmosphere most intensely within said high-intensity regions. By determining moments of gravitational resonant frequencies based on a given location, the methods, systems, and devices described herein utilize the energy provided within the high-intensity regions during the determined moments. Harvesting and further transmitting the collected energy is also disclosed.

The present invention describes methods, systems, and devices for utilizing high-intensity regions within atmospheres of planetary bodies to receive and harvest electricity. Such high-intensity regions are formed as a result of the combined gravitational forces affecting a given planetary body and particularly the particles within the atmosphere of that planetary body. The combined gravitational forces result in a gravitational resonant frequency which affects the atmosphere most intensely within said high-intensity regions. By determining moments of gravitational resonant frequencies based on a given location, the methods, systems, and devices described herein utilize the energy provided within the high-intensity regions during the determined moments. Harvesting and further transmitting the collected energy is also disclosed.

A Magnetic Storage Unit (MSU) for on-board cargo/logistics storage in aspects of space exploration including spacecraft/space flights/launch vehicles and cargo/logistics on the International Space Station (ISS) is provided in the present invention. Further provides an integration of the Magnetic Storage Unit (MSU) including a power source for transferring power to a power wall and a Long Logistics Rod (LLR), the Long Logistics Rod (LLR) is linked to a control center for human interaction with each container secured with a holder.

A Magnetic Storage Unit (MSU) for on-board cargo/logistics storage in aspects of space exploration including spacecraft/space flights/launch vehicles and cargo/logistics on the International Space Station (ISS) is provided in the present invention. Further provides an integration of the Magnetic Storage Unit (MSU) including a power source for transferring power to a power wall and a Long Logistics Rod (LLR), the Long Logistics Rod (LLR) is linked to a control center for human interaction with each container secured with a holder.

Systems and methods are provided for scheduling objects having pair-wise and cumulative constraints. The systems and methods presented can utilize a directed acyclic graph to increase or maximize a utilization function. The objects can comprise satellites in a constellation of satellites. In some implementations, the satellites are imaging satellites, and the systems and methods for scheduling can use human collaboration to determine events of interest for acquisition of images. In some implementations, dominant edges are removed from the directed acyclic graph. In some implementations, dynamic weights are assigned to nodes associated with downlink events in the directed acyclic graph.