How to Launch Spacecraft Using Giant Cannons Instead of Rockets
A method for launching space vehicles into orbit using high-speed impulsive forces like cannons, precisely timed to rendezvous with existing satellites.
Original patent title: “Orbital mechanics of impulsive launch”
A method for launching space vehicles into orbit using high-speed impulsive forces like cannons, precisely timed to rendezvous with existing satellites. Granted to Quicklaunch Inc in 2019 with 19 claims and 2 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a technique for launching a vehicle into space using an impulsive force—essentially a massive push or 'shot'—rather than a traditional multi-stage rocket. The method dictates that the vehicle must be launched in an easterly direction to leverage the Earth's rotation. The core of the invention is a precise timing mechanism: the launch must occur at a specific moment, calculated as approximately one-third of the vehicle's total 'fly-out time' before the target satellite passes over the launch site. This ensures the vehicle reaches its highest point (apogee) at the exact moment and location required to meet the target.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover traditional rocket-based launches that use continuous thrust during ascent.
- Does not cover launches in directions other than easterly or due east.
- Does not cover orbital maneuvers that do not rely on the specific one-third fly-out time calculation for rendezvous.
- Does not cover the mechanical design of the launcher itself, only the orbital trajectory and timing method.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The patent uses the vehicle's own flight time to solve the complex 'phasing' problem of rendezvous. By launching at exactly one-third of the fly-out time before the target passes overhead, the vehicle naturally arrives at the rendezvous point without requiring complex mid-flight corrections.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Light gas gun launch systems
Electromagnetic railgun space launch concepts
Kinetic energy delivery systems for orbital cargo
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent addresses the high cost of space access by proposing a way to use kinetic energy launchers, such as light gas guns or electromagnetic rails. By calculating the exact timing needed to intercept a target, it provides a theoretical framework for 'gun-launched' cargo or small satellites. This is a significant departure from the chemical rocket paradigm that has dominated spaceflight since the 1950s.
Filed
April 29, 2016
Granted
October 1, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Quicklaunch Inc. has been the primary entity exploring these concepts, often associated with research into hydrogen-powered 'space guns.' Other entities in the broader kinetic launch space include companies like SpinLaunch, which uses centrifugal acceleration to achieve similar impulsive launch goals.
Market impact
This patent represents a niche but persistent effort to lower the cost per kilogram of launching small payloads into low Earth orbit. While it has not replaced traditional rockets, it provides a potential pathway for rapid, low-cost replenishment of satellite constellations if kinetic launch technology matures.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a technique for launching a vehicle into space using an impulsive force—essentially a massive push or 'shot'—rather than a traditional multi-stage rocket. The method dictates that the vehicle must be launched in an easterly direction to leverage the Earth's rotation. The core of the invention is a precise timing mechanism: the launch must occur at a specific moment, calculated as approximately one-third of the vehicle's total 'fly-out time' before the target satellite passes over the launch site. This ensures the vehicle reaches its highest point (apogee) at the exact moment and location required to meet the target.
The clever bit
The patent uses the vehicle's own flight time to solve the complex 'phasing' problem of rendezvous. By launching at exactly one-third of the fly-out time before the target passes overhead, the vehicle naturally arrives at the rendezvous point without requiring complex mid-flight corrections.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover traditional rocket-based launches that use continuous thrust during ascent.
- Does not cover launches in directions other than easterly or due east.
- Does not cover orbital maneuvers that do not rely on the specific one-third fly-out time calculation for rendezvous.
- Does not cover the mechanical design of the launcher itself, only the orbital trajectory and timing method.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$44K – $140K
Midpoint $88K · 9.9 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
19 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Cartland, H. E. (2019). How to Launch Spacecraft Using Giant Cannons Instead of Rockets (U.S. Patent No. 10,427,804). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10427804/starship-stainless-steel-construction
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Launch Spacecraft Using Giant Cannons Instead of Rockets cover?
A method for launching space vehicles into orbit using high-speed impulsive forces like cannons, precisely timed to rendezvous with existing satellites.
Who owns patent US 10427804?
Quicklaunch Inc owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on October 1, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10427804 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent addresses the high cost of space access by proposing a way to use kinetic energy launchers, such as light gas guns or electromagnetic rails. By calculating the exact timing needed to intercept a target, it provides a theoretical framework for 'gun-launched' cargo or small satellites. This is a significant departure from the chemical rocket paradigm that has dominated spaceflight since the 1950s.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover traditional rocket-based launches that use continuous thrust during ascent.
Patent monitoring