System and method for improved air-launch of a launch vehicle from a towed aircraft
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Jan 9, 2024
Grant Date -
Feb 2, 2023
app pub date -
Jul 27, 2021
filing date -
Jul 27, 2021
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
|
US Family Size
|
Non-US Coverage
|
Abstract
A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude, activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft, releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft, and activating the launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
Family
| Country | kind | publication No. | Filing Date | Type | Sub-Type |
|---|
International Classification(s)
- 2021 Application Filing Year
- B64G Class
- 337 Applications Filed
- 178 Patents Issued To-Date
- 52.82 % Issued To-Date
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
- 0 Citation Count
- B64G Class
- 0 % this patent is cited more than
- 1 Age
Maintenance Fees
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Year Payment | $1600.00 | $800.00 | $400.00 | Jul 9, 2027 |
| 7.5 Year Payment | $3600.00 | $1800.00 | $900.00 | Jul 9, 2031 |
| 11.5 Year Payment | $7400.00 | $3700.00 | $1850.00 | Jul 9, 2035 |
