Class 244/158.9 - Reusable or returnable

Subclass of Class 244 - Aeronautics and astronautics
Definition: Subject matter in which the spacecraft is intended to be
No. of patents: 23
Last issue date: 11/01/2011

Number	Title	Issue Date
8047472	Ram booster The present invention is a space launch system and method to propel a payload bearing craft into earth orbit. The invention has two, or preferably, three stages. The upper stage has rocket engines capable of carrying a payload to orbit and provides the capability of...	11/01/2011
7690601	Reversible space plane A reversible aerospace plane includes an air intake at a first end of the aerospace plane, at least one heat exchanger disposed in the aerospace plane, an engine at a second end of the aerospace plane, wherein the aerospace plane is configured to accelerate in a fir...	04/06/2010
7431242	Re-entry vehicle shape for enhanced performance A convex shell structure for enhanced aerodynamic performance and/or reduced heat transfer requirements for a space vehicle that re-enters an atmosphere. The structure has a fore-body, an aft-body, a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross sectional shape, projecte...	10/07/2008
7387279	Method and apparatus for supplying orbital space platforms using payload canisters via intermediate orbital rendezvous and docking In a space platform supply system, a canister containing supply for a space platform is launched into orbit using a launch vehicle. An intermediate space vehicle rendezvous and docks with the canister while the attached launch vehicle provides the necessary orbit ma...	06/17/2008
7357352	Air vehicle assembly and an associated control system and method An air vehicle assembly and a corresponding method for launching an air vehicle assembly are provided, along with corresponding control systems and methods. The air vehicle assembly may include a plurality of air vehicles releasably joined to one another during a po...	04/15/2008
7344111	Reversible space plane A reversible aerospace plane includes an air intake at a first end of the aerospace plane, at least one heat exchanger disposed in the aerospace plane, an engine at a second end of the aerospace plane, wherein the aerospace plane is configured to accelerate in a fir...	03/18/2008
7267303	Method and system for providing cruciform steered, bent biconic and plasma suppression for maximum accuracy A system for reducing plasma induced communication disruption is disclosed. The system utilizes an electrophilic gas injectant, bent reentry vehicle nose shaping and a number of flaps configured to provide 3-axis steering capability. Injecting electrophilic gas inje...	09/11/2007
7246775	System and method of substantially autonomous geosynchronous time-optimal orbit transfer Method of and system for on-board substantially autonomous control for transferring a spacecraft from an initial orbit to a final geosynchronous orbit, by a trajectory that minimizes remaining transfer time and orbit transfer fuel. The spacecraft determines its orbi...	07/24/2007
7237752	System and method for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizing electrophilic injectant and sharp reentry vehicle nose shaping The present invention discloses a system and a method for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizing electrophilic injectant and sharp reentry vehicle nose shaping. Injecting electrophilic gas into plasma accomplishes reduction of plasma induced comm...	07/03/2007
7234667	Modular aerospace plane This invention relates to the design of a Modular Aerospace Plane (MAP) comprising a forward fuselage section, a main wing section, a tail section and wing attachments. Various sections can be integrated to offer a variety of aircraft characteristics, performance an...	06/26/2007
7229048	Aerodynamic control of a hypersonic entry vehicle A hypersonic vehicle having in one or more embodiments a control surface that is movable to a deployed position. The control surface is movable in a pivotal manner that establishes a gap between the leading edge of the control surface and the outer surface of the ve...	06/12/2007
7219859	Multipurpose modular spacecraft A reentry vehicle includes a nose section, a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules, a flared section. The nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular...	05/22/2007
7207517	Munition with integrity gated go/no-go decision A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating...	04/24/2007
7198231	Method of applying ablative insulation coatings and articles obtained therefrom A method of forming ablative insulation coatings on aerospace structures and articles produced thereby. The method includes forming a mold having a cavity configured to complementarily receive at least a portion of the structure and directly molding the ablative coa...	04/03/2007
7198233	Reusable orbital vehicle with interchangeable cargo modules A reusable module is affixed atop a reusable orbital vehicle (OV). Various configurations of the reusable module have identical external dimensions in the region of attachment to the OV to permit interchangeability. Different configurations can accommodate a variety...	04/03/2007
7080809	Space transportation system The invention, presents a new concept of spacecraft vehicle design and method of utilization in space flight operations. The system examines the major elements of launch, to orbit flight and return format. The system relies heavily on current space flight technology...	07/25/2006
4834324	Multiconfiguration reusable space transportation system A space transporation system comprises several different modular units usable in a plurality of different configurations for different payloads and space missions. The units include a first stage unit for providing primary propulsive force during launch, ...	05/30/1989
4830314	Recovery system for rocket engine The disclosure is directed to a system for recovery of liquid fuel rocket engines used in space flight. The system comprises a sphere with a normally circumferential open portion for containing a rocket engine. The sphere is fixedly attached to the space ...	05/16/1989
4784350	Passive step trimmer for a maneuvering re-entry body (U) A passive step trimmer for a maneuvering re-entry body (MRB) which uses existing inertial forces acting on the MRB to deploy a free flowing mass from the rear of the MRB to trim the MRB altitude. The mass deployment from the MRB causes a forward shift in ...	11/15/1988
4741502	Method and apparatus for launching a spacecraft by use of a recoverable upper rocket stage An apparatus and method for launching a spacecraft including a payload and a delivery stage having a rocket engine powered by fluid bipropellant from the earth into a high energy orbit and for recovering the delivery stage are disclosed. By reducing the d...	05/03/1988
4623106	Reentry vehicle having active control and passive design modifications A modular improved forward section and improved aft section containing an tive-control package are disclosed which can be retrofitted to existing sphere-cone geometry reentry bodies (RBs) and which will provide improved aerodynamic performance and deploym...	11/18/1986
4240601	Method for observing the features characterizing the surface of a land mass A method wherein a propeller driven, hydrazine powered aircraft is remotely piloted through rarefied atmosphere of a selected planet, including the planet Earth, and employed as a communication platform for a telemetry system provided for relaying informa...	12/23/1980
4186900	Disintegratable aerodynamic brake A disintegratable aerodynamic brake is disclosed for use on a re-entry vehicle for retarding vehicle speed upon re-entry. The brake is connected to the travelling vehicle and is fabricated from a refractory material and is configured to progressively fuse...	02/05/1980

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Class 244/158.9 - Reusable or returnable