XM Satellite Radio has filed for a patent that specs out a system for geosynchronous satellites that follow in an elliptical orbit, creating a "figure-eight" ground track.
Some Sirius folks may notice that this orbit pattern looks familiar.
Now before we go getting all up in arms about that this is a possible shift in XM's plans for their satellite configuration. I just want to point out this line from the patent application:
"This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. 10/171,619, filed Jun. 13, 2002, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/433,849, filed Nov. 4, 1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,385."
So this isn't necessarily anything new, just a patent that XM has been working on for a while and this is simply the continuation of it.
Either way, it's "interesting" to say the least.
This should get interesting. I know one of the guys who patented the figure-8 for Sirius itself and see what his word is on this.
Shouldn't the word "merger" come up again (it's been about 3 days!)
The word is ..... more sub potential/population going N:S instead of E:W.
I invented satellites one long boring weekend back in 1959.
XM ... always late to the party.
Haha, I didn't even want to say it iband.
So would that be more satellites or just making the ones up there do that? ( can you )
I like this since i cant legitimately sign up for XM in Puerto Rico now i can also get signal if they go along with this.
If they wanted to do both, they could since xm1 and xm2 is still up there.
Hoo Hoo, Robin; they're stealing my geosynchronous satellite elliptical orbit pattern.
I think it's because of the planned merger. To be announced next week.
Take that Iband and Ryan !!!!!
Hmmmmm. A little late on this XM?
XM would have to turn off one of their ~4mhz blocks to activate this config. They'd basically be in the same situation Sirius will be after Sirius's new sat launches. You'd have some geostationary some geosynchronous.
It'll be interesting to see which sat Sirius turns off on each pass and how the geo assists. We could actually end up in a worse situation than we are now depending on geography.
I doubt XM is aiming to augment their orbit. However, I'd be amused solely because I know someone who's heart would explode out of their chest shortly after.
That'd be a good day.
But wait... Isnt Sirius satellite structure stupid by xm fans standards. I am sure glad that I am on vacation so I do not have to laugh at the hypocracy that is the XM fan.
confusing to say the least. it would provide better canadian coverage but the cost is not worth the better reception up there. XM has 2 working sats and 2 in orbit spares so there is not reason to augment at this time. This could be "just incase" 3 sats are available on the cheap. But I doubt this too. More likely to me is not a merger and not copying Sirius but simply getting approval to fly some sats in that orbit before someone else does.