System for emergency crew return and down-mass from orbit

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 10081446
APP PUB NO 20160264266A1
SERIAL NO

15067292

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A system for emergency crew return and down-mass orbit comprising a stowable, self-contained, deployable maneuvering reentry vehicle for automated, on-demand reentry to ground for cargo of 1-10 kilograms or up to single or multiple human use for evacuation of orbital facilities. The system includes a deployable “aeroshell” that is contiguous (a single geometric object—surface or hollow shape—that can morph in 3D shape), modular (a collection of modular components externally acting as a contiguous shape, but morphed in 3D via actuators contained in each modular member to create a general asymmetric geometry), or discontiguous (a collection of independently controlled surfaces or bodies that morph to form desirable asymmetric drag configurations). The system contains traditional spacecraft guidance, navigation and control, propulsion, and attitude control elements, in addition to communications, power, and actuator energetics systems for controlling the vehicle aeroshell shape during reentry, thus, minimizing the landing footprint of the vehicle.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • Assignment data not available. Check PTO

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Stone, William C Del Valle, US 39 364

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Mar 25, 2026
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Mar 25, 2030
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00