SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBSERVING A SATELLITE USING A SATELLITE IN RETROGRADE ORBIT

A satellite and an arrangement for placing the satellite in a retrograde orbit, i.e. inclined at approximately 180° to the equator. Multiple satellites may be used and the orbits thereof may be circular or elliptical. The invention is well-suited for an illustrative satellite inspection application. In this embodiment, the system includes one or more satellites; means disposed on each satellite for receiving electromagnetic energy from objects (e.g. satellites) within a field-of-view thereof; and an arrangement for placing the inspection satellites in a retrograde orbit. The satellites may be equally spaced in a single orbit or disposed in equally spaced orbits. The satellites may include a variety of instruments including radar, infrared, visible, etc. In a radar implementation, the satellite may include a bistatic or (with a transmitter) monostatic radar system. In the bistatic case, the signal may be transmitted from a ground-based or space based platform.