Direct broadcast imaging satellite system apparatus and method for providing real-time, continuous monitoring of earth from geostationary earth orbit

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for collecting an distributing real-time, high resolution images of the Earth from GEO include an electro-optical sensor based on multi-megapixel two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) arrays mounted on a geostationary platform. At least four, three-axis stabilized satellites in Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) provide worldwide coverage, excluding the poles. Image data that is collected at approximately 1 frame/sec, is broadcast over high-capacity communication links (roughly 15 MHZ bandwidth) providing real-time global coverage of the Earth at sub-kilometer resolutions directly to end users. This data may be distributed globally from each satellite through a system of space and ground telecommunication links. Each satellite carries at least two electro-optical imaging systems that operate at visible wavelengths so as to provide uninterrupted views of the Earth's full disk and coverage at sub-kilometer spatial resolutions of most or selected portions of the Earth's surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An earth monitoring system, comprising: 
 an imaging system configured to be disposed on a satellite in geostationary orbit, having 
 optics having a field of view subtending a substantially full disk of the Earth,  
 a multi-megapixel focal plane imaging array coupled to said optics and configured to produce individual images of the substantially full disk at a rate of one or more images per second,  
 a sampling device configured to sample at least one of said individual images so as to produce a resampled image data frame, and  
 a transmitter configured to transmit said resampled image data frame at a rate equal to or greater than one frame per second.  
   
     
     
         2 . The earth monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter comprises: 
 an image compression device configured to compress each frame of image data.    
     
     
         3 . The earth monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said sampling device comprises: 
 a spatial filter configured to filter said at least one image by eliminating image data corresponding to a predetermined portion of a planetary limb.    
     
     
         4 . The earth monitoring system of  claim 1 , said multi-megapixel focal plane imaging array comprising: 
 a two dimensional focal plane detector array configured to provide a single full Earth image with a nadir resolution equal to or greater than 6.5 km.