Spacecraft with aerodynamic control

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9889950
SERIAL NO

14627936

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A spacecraft operating in a low earth orbit having an altitude in the range of 160 to 800 km has a main body that includes heat dissipating electrical equipment and an earth-facing payload. Control surfaces on the spacecraft are articulated so as to: provide three-axis attitude control to the spacecraft main body using aerodynamic drag effects, such that the earth-facing payload is maintained in a selected orientation with respect to the earth; and control one or both of orbit altitude and period by articulating the control surfaces so as to regulate an amount of aerodynamic drag. The control surfaces include a first control surface disposed, in an on-orbit configuration, on a boom, the boom being mechanically coupled with the main body, and with one or both of a solar array electrically coupled with the electrical equipment and a thermal radiating array thermally coupled with the electrical equipment.

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

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Turner, Andrew E Mountain View, US 30 269

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 Aug 13, 2025
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Aug 13, 2029
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