Subterranean target steering strategy

摘要

A method for steering the payload beam of a satellite in a non-geostationary orbit toward an intended service area having known geographical dimensions in order to obtain improved pointing performance with a corresponding reduction in the demand on onboard hardware and software systems. The method comprises the steps of determining a subterranean target point and a direction fixed in the payload beam, calculating the orientation that points the payload beam direction through the subterranean target point, and maintaining this payload beam orientation using an on-board attitude control system.