IP Library Granted Patent US 11,239,905
Granted Patent B2
US 11,239,905 · App. 16/876,740 · Granted Feb 1, 2022

Systems and methods for command and control of satellite constellations

Inventors: Jesse Trutna (Eureka, CA); Roshan Jobanputra (San Francisco, CA); Robert Deaton (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: SPIRE GLOBAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.
H04B7/18519H04B7/18513H04B7/18521
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,239,905
App. No.
16/876,740
Granted
Feb 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for tasking satellite constellations. A method is disclosed herein for receiving, from a resource database of a satellite control system, knowledge data corresponding to a plurality of components associated with a satellite constellation communications system. The plurality of components can include one or more satellites associated with a constellation. The method includes processing the knowledge data according at least one received mission objective. Processing the knowledge data can include determining a status of at least one satellite in the constellation. The method includes scheduling the satellite control system based at least in part on the received mission objective and the processed knowledge data; initiating communication with the at least one satellite in the constellation according to the scheduling; receiving updated status information for at least one component of the plurality of components; and storing, in the resource database, the updated status information.

Claims (16)

1. A ground station, comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver;

a processor in communication with a ground operation automation system, the processor configured to:

receive an actuation command from the ground operation automation system, the actuation command requesting the ground station to initiate a contact with a satellite, the actuation command indicating a time window to initiate the contact with the satellite, the actuation command specifying a parameter to be sent to the satellite by the ground station;

move one or more rotors of the ground station after receiving the actuation command;

send, via the transmitter, a command to the satellite to obtain status of the satellite after receiving the actuation command, the command sent to the satellite including the parameter specified in the actuation command; and

receive, via the receiver, from the satellite, the status of the satellite;

wherein the processor is configured to calculate rotor coefficients as needed to instruct a tracking motor of the transmitter and the receiver to follow a pass geometry of the satellite.

2. The ground station of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive satellite orbital parameters from the satellite.

3. A method for automating satellite communication by a ground station, comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a ground station, an actuation command from a ground operation automation system, the actuation command requesting the ground station to initiate a contact with a satellite, the actuation command indicating a time window to initiate the contact with the satellite, the actuation command specifying a parameter to be sent to the satellite by the ground station;

moving one or more rotors of the ground station after receiving the actuation command; sending, via a transmitter of the ground station, a command to the satellite to obtain status of the satellite after receiving the actuation command, the command sent to the satellite including the parameter specified in the actuation command;

receiving, via a receiver of the ground station, from the satellite, the status of the satellite; and

calculating rotor coefficients as needed to instruct a tracking motor of the transmitter and the receiver to follow a pass geometry of the satellite.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising receiving satellite orbital parameters from the satellite.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2025
From: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: SPIRE GLOBAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.; EXACTEARTH LTD.
Reel/Frame 070950/0659 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2022
From: FP CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SPIRE GLOBAL, INC.; AUSTIN SATELLITE DESIGN, LLC
Reel/Frame 060198/0638 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2022
From: EXACTEARTH LTD.; SPIRE GLOBAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 060363/0171 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 10, 2021
From: SPIRE GLOBAL, INC.
To: SPIRE GLOBAL SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057468/0155 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2021
From: SPIRE GLOBAL, INC.
To: FP CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 056353/0901 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S NAME AND ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 052689 FRAME: 0460. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded May 3, 2021
From: TRUTNA, JESSE; JOBANPUTRA, ROSHAN; DEATON, ROBERT
To: SPIRE GLOBAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 056122/0665 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2020
From: TRUTNA, JESSE; JOBANPUTRA, ROSHAN; DEATON, ROBERT
To: SPIRE GLOBAL INC.
Reel/Frame 052689/0460 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15994485 · May 31, 2018
Continuation 15221908 · Jul 28, 2016
Related Publication 20200280367A1 · Sep 3, 2020
Cited By (2)
US 12,603,701 US 12,627,372