How Rockets Catch Up to Satellites Faster Using Out-of-Plane Steering
A method for launching rockets to reach a space station or satellite in less than one full orbit by steering the rocket sideways during launch.
Original patent title: “Orbital rendezvous techniques”
A method for launching rockets to reach a space station or satellite in less than one full orbit by steering the rocket sideways during launch. Granted to United Launch Alliance LLC in 2022 with 23 claims and 9 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to launch a spacecraft so it meets a target, like the International Space Station, in less than one full orbit. Normally, rockets launch into a specific path that takes a long time to align with a target. This method uses 'out-of-plane' steering—essentially steering the rocket sideways relative to its initial path—to adjust its trajectory while it is still climbing. By timing the launch to hit a specific 'phase angle' (the relative position of the rocket and target), the rocket can reach the target's 'rendezvous envelope' before the target has even finished one trip around the Earth.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover rendezvous methods that take more than one full orbit to complete.
- Does not cover launch systems that do not use out-of-plane steering to adjust the orbital plane.
- Does not cover rendezvous with targets that are not in an orbital plane offset from the launch site.
- Does not cover manual piloting; it specifically requires a processor-based control unit.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation is using the launch vehicle's steering during the ascent phase to actively correct the orbital plane, rather than waiting to perform complex maneuvers once in orbit.
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
United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur missions
International Space Station cargo resupply missions
Rapid orbital rendezvous maneuvers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Reducing the time it takes to reach a space station is critical for cargo and crew missions. Faster rendezvous reduces the amount of time astronauts spend in cramped capsules and allows for more frequent, efficient resupply missions. This technology is a key part of modernizing how we access low Earth orbit.
Filed
May 1, 2019
Granted
July 5, 2022
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is the primary developer of this technology. Other major players in the launch industry, such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab, also develop proprietary rapid-rendezvous techniques for their respective launch vehicles.
Market impact
This patent helps standardize the 'fast-track' rendezvous approach, which has become a competitive benchmark for launch providers. It enables more flexible launch windows and reduces the operational costs associated with long-duration orbital phasing.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to launch a spacecraft so it meets a target, like the International Space Station, in less than one full orbit. Normally, rockets launch into a specific path that takes a long time to align with a target. This method uses 'out-of-plane' steering—essentially steering the rocket sideways relative to its initial path—to adjust its trajectory while it is still climbing. By timing the launch to hit a specific 'phase angle' (the relative position of the rocket and target), the rocket can reach the target's 'rendezvous envelope' before the target has even finished one trip around the Earth.
The clever bit
The innovation is using the launch vehicle's steering during the ascent phase to actively correct the orbital plane, rather than waiting to perform complex maneuvers once in orbit.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover rendezvous methods that take more than one full orbit to complete.
- Does not cover launch systems that do not use out-of-plane steering to adjust the orbital plane.
- Does not cover rendezvous with targets that are not in an orbital plane offset from the launch site.
- Does not cover manual piloting; it specifically requires a processor-based control unit.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
20/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
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
$84K – $270K
Midpoint $168K · 12.9 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
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kutter, B. F., & Monda, E. W. (2022). How Rockets Catch Up to Satellites Faster Using Out-of-Plane Steering (U.S. Patent No. 11,377,237). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11377237/starship-heat-shield-tiles
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 Rockets Catch Up to Satellites Faster Using Out-of-Plane Steering cover?
A method for launching rockets to reach a space station or satellite in less than one full orbit by steering the rocket sideways during launch.
Who owns patent US 11377237?
United Launch Alliance LLC owns this patent, granted in 2022.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on July 5, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11377237 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 9 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Reducing the time it takes to reach a space station is critical for cargo and crew missions. Faster rendezvous reduces the amount of time astronauts spend in cramped capsules and allows for more frequent, efficient resupply missions. This technology is a key part of modernizing how we access low Earth orbit.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover rendezvous methods that take more than one full orbit to complete.
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