The system and method of using at least one constellation of small satellites to provide collaborative, tactical intelligence in a space-based system. The low latency of the system provides for actions to be taken within an adversary's decision window. The multi-domain system provides for the use of various sensors and payloads to provide real-time, multi-INT information to users, whether commercial or military in nature.

An exploration method includes: a step of exploring a natural resource on a satellite, a minor planet, or a planet; a step of acquiring the natural resource detected by the exploration; and a step of storing the acquired natural resource.

A Vehicle Based Independent Range System (VBIRS) (10) comprised of individual stacked chambered modules that function as a single integrated system that provides a self-contained space based range capability, and is comprised of a power module (12), an artificial intelligence/autonomous engagement/flight termination system module (20), a satellite data modem module system (30) and a navigation, communications and control module system (40), all of which interface with a VBIRS test and checkout system (52) and a weather data system (116). The artificial intelligence/autonomous engagement/flight termination system module (20) is comprised of an inherent artificial intelligence capability that envelopes and interchanges data with an autonomous engagement controller (22) that contains all missile/rocket autonomous cooperative engagement, destruct decision software and range safety algorithm parameters required for optimum mission planning. VBIRS employed aboard an aircraft or between any combination of launching systems allows that aircraft to launch a missile/rocket from any location on earth, whether the missile/rocket is singularly launched by itself or as a larger group of missiles/rockets launched in a salvo arrangement, while providing collaborative real-time targeting to occur directly between missiles/rockets in conjunction with other missile/rocket launch platforms or stand-alone mission control centers.

A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

An exploration method includes: a step of exploring a natural resource on a satellite, a minor planet, or a planet; a step of acquiring the natural resource detected by the exploration; and a step of storing the acquired natural resource.

A radar satellite of the present invention comprises a radar unit including a plurality of radar panels coupled to each other in a single flat plate shape, each of the plurality of radar panels including a plurality of antennas which transmit and receive radar waves, and a solar cell; and a communication/control unit which performs communications with a spot on an earth or a spacecraft. The radar unit includes: a radar panel array which is a plate-shaped structure including the plurality of radar panels; and a deployable truss structure including a plurality of side frame members supporting the plurality of radar panels, respectively, and coupled to each other in such a manner that the side frame members are foldable and deployable.

An apparatus receives values of parameters defining an orbit of a satellite of a satellite navigation system for a validity period. The apparatus furthermore determines whether a received value of at least one parameter of a predetermined set of the parameters is saturated. The apparatus then takes into account whether a received value of at least one parameter of the predetermined set of parameters is determined to be saturated in a process of extending the validity period of the received values of parameters.

A control system for a satellite comprises a power source and control system, a propulsion system having individually selectable solid fuel motors, a communication interface and an attitude determination and control system (ADCS). The ADCS receives power from the power source and control system and further receives desired orbital or positional instructions via the communication interface. Based on the desired orbital or position instructions, the ADCS generates and provides commands to the propulsion system. In turn, the propulsion system selects and fires one or more motors of the individually selectable solid fuel motors responsive to the commands received from the ADCS. A satellite may comprise the disclosed satellite control system as well as attitude control components and/or sensor components operatively connected to the satellite control system.

A configuration for a satellite constellation has a plurality of planes, each plane including a plurality of satellites therein, at least some of the planes situated at a different altitude than other of the planes. In some embodiments, all planes contain the same number of satellites; in some other embodiments, at least one plane includes a different number of satellites than the other planes in the constellation. In some embodiments, the satellites in each plane are evenly spaced.