Technique for the use of GPS for high orbiting satellites

摘要

The present invention is directed toward a navigation system and method for a high orbit spacecraft, which passively utilizes UHF signals carrying intersatellite ranging data transmitted by a constellation of satellites that travel in lower orbits around a celestial sphere. The navigation system enables the high orbit spacecraft to self locate its position relative to an earth centered coordinate frame and comprises a receiver for receiving the UHF signals carrying the intersatellite ranging data and a Kalman or optimum filter coupled to the receiver for processing the ranging data received by the receiver and generating and updating spacecraft position data.