Multi-pathway satellite communication systems and methods
Systems and methods for controlling satellites are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system can obtain a request for image data. The request can be associated with a priority for acquiring the image data. The computing system can determine an availability of a plurality of satellites to acquire the image data based at least in part on the request. The computing system can select from among a plurality of communication pathways to transmit an image acquisition command to a satellite based at least in part on the request priority. The plurality of communication pathways can include a communication pathway via which the image acquisition command is indirectly communicated to the satellite via a geostationary satellite. The computing system can send the image acquisition command to the selected satellite via the selected communication pathway. Data from the satellite can be relayed to ground-based stations via one or more relay satellites.
1. A computer-implemented method for satellite imaging, the method comprising:
receiving a command to capture imagery data on an imagery satellite;
acquiring the imagery data with the imagery satellite;
determining a selected downlink communication pathway between the imagery satellite and a ground station from a first downlink communication pathway and a second downlink communication pathway, wherein:
the first downlink communication pathway comprises communication directly between the imagery satellite and the ground station;
the second downlink communication pathway comprises communication to the ground station relayed via one or more relay satellites; and
the second downlink communication pathway is selected based on determining that the second downlink communication pathway provides a quicker downlink to the ground station than the first downlink communication pathway; and
transmitting the imagery data via the selected downlink communication pathway.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a current orbital position of the imagery satellite.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a distance from the current orbital position of the imagery satellite and a future orbital position.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway further comprises determining from a third downlink communication pathway, wherein the third downlink communication pathway comprises communication to the ground station relayed via a second set of one or more relay satellites.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more relay satellites of the second downlink communication pathway are geostationary satellites, and the second set of one or more relay satellites of the third downlink communication pathway are low-earth orbit satellites.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a priority of the command to capture imagery data.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising:
based on the priority of the command, determining a downlink tier indicative of an order of imagery data to be transmitted.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the downlink tier is associated with a real-time communication pathway, the real-time communication pathway providing access to at least a portion of the imagery data in near real-time.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the imagery data via the selected downlink communication pathway comprises adjusting a line of communication to the one or more relay satellites.
10. A computing system comprising:
one or more processors; and
one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising:
receiving a command to capture imagery data on an imagery satellite;
acquiring the imagery data with the imagery satellite;
determining a selected downlink communication pathway between the imagery satellite and a ground station from a first downlink communication pathway and a second downlink communication pathway, wherein:
the first downlink communication pathway comprises communication directly between the imagery satellite and the ground station;
the second downlink communication pathway comprises communication to the ground station relayed via one or more relay satellites; and
the second downlink communication pathway is selected based on determining that the second downlink communication pathway provides a quicker downlink to the ground station than the first downlink communication pathway; and
transmitting the imagery data via the selected downlink communication pathway.
11. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a current orbital position of the imagery satellite.
12. The computing system of claim 11 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a distance from the current orbital position of the imagery satellite and a future orbital position.
13. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway further comprises determining from a third downlink communication pathway, wherein the third downlink communication pathway comprises communication to the ground station relayed via a second set of one or more relay satellites.
14. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more relay satellites of the second downlink communication pathway are geostationary satellites, and the second set of one or more relay satellites of the third downlink communication pathway are low-earth orbit satellites.
15. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a priority of the command to capture imagery data.
16. The computing system of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
based on the priority of the command, determining a downlink tier indicative of an order of imagery data to be transmitted.
17. The computing system of claim 16 , wherein the downlink tier is associated with a real-time communication pathway, the real-time communication pathway providing access to at least a portion of the imagery data in near real-time.
18. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein transmitting the imagery data via the selected downlink communication pathway comprises adjusting a line of communication to the one or more relay satellites.
19. One or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a computing system to perform operations comprising:
receiving a command to capture imagery data on an imagery satellite;
acquiring the imagery data with the imagery satellite;
determining a selected downlink communication pathway between the imagery satellite and a ground station from a first downlink communication pathway and a second downlink communication pathway, wherein:
the first downlink communication pathway comprises communication directly between the imagery satellite and the ground station;
the second downlink communication pathway comprises communication to the ground station relayed via one or more relay satellites; and
the second downlink communication pathway is selected based on determining that the second downlink communication pathway provides a quicker downlink to the ground station than the first downlink communication pathway; and
transmitting the imagery data via the selected downlink communication pathway.
20. The one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 19 , wherein determining the selected downlink communication pathway is based on a current orbital position of the imagery satellite.