How Space Taxis and Locomotives Move Satellites Between Orbits
A modular system using a small 'rendezvous' vehicle to collect satellites and a larger 'locomotive' vehicle to haul them to their final destination in space.
Original patent title: “Multi-Orbital Transfer Vehicle constellation and method of use”
A modular system using a small 'rendezvous' vehicle to collect satellites and a larger 'locomotive' vehicle to haul them to their final destination in space. Granted to Atomos Nuclear and Space Corp in 2022 with 23 claims and 2 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a two-part space transport system designed to move satellites between different orbits efficiently. A small, nimble 'rendezvous vehicle' travels to a satellite's current location, docks with it, and brings it to a larger 'locomotive vehicle' already waiting in orbit. Once connected into a single stack, the locomotive uses its more powerful propulsion system to move the entire assembly to the satellite's target orbit. Finally, the satellite is released to begin its mission. The system is designed to share propellant between the vehicles, allowing for longer missions and more flexibility in how satellites are deployed.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover single-stage orbital transfer vehicles that move satellites without docking to a secondary locomotive.
- Does not cover ground-based launch systems or rockets used to initially put satellites into orbit.
- Does not cover autonomous docking systems that do not specifically utilize the rendezvous-to-locomotive stack architecture.
- Does not cover propulsion systems that do not use the specified ammonia propellant configuration.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in decoupling the 'last mile' delivery (the rendezvous vehicle) from the 'long haul' transit (the locomotive), and specifically enabling the transfer of propellant between these vehicles to extend their operational life.
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
Orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs)
Space tug infrastructure
Satellite servicing missions
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As the number of satellites in orbit increases, moving them to specific, optimal locations becomes expensive and fuel-intensive. This patent provides a blueprint for a 'space tug' infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for every satellite to carry its own massive fuel supply. It represents a shift toward treating space as a logistics network rather than a series of one-off rocket launches.
Filed
August 6, 2020
Granted
November 8, 2022
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Atomos Nuclear and Space Corp is the primary developer of this technology. Other companies in the orbital logistics space, such as Northrop Grumman with their Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV) and various startups focused on space tugs, are exploring similar concepts of satellite servicing and orbital maneuvering.
Market impact
This patent supports the emerging 'in-space logistics' market. By standardizing how satellites are moved after launch, it enables companies to launch satellites into cheaper, lower orbits and then move them to their final destination, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for satellite operators.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a two-part space transport system designed to move satellites between different orbits efficiently. A small, nimble 'rendezvous vehicle' travels to a satellite's current location, docks with it, and brings it to a larger 'locomotive vehicle' already waiting in orbit. Once connected into a single stack, the locomotive uses its more powerful propulsion system to move the entire assembly to the satellite's target orbit. Finally, the satellite is released to begin its mission. The system is designed to share propellant between the vehicles, allowing for longer missions and more flexibility in how satellites are deployed.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in decoupling the 'last mile' delivery (the rendezvous vehicle) from the 'long haul' transit (the locomotive), and specifically enabling the transfer of propellant between these vehicles to extend their operational life.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover single-stage orbital transfer vehicles that move satellites without docking to a secondary locomotive.
- Does not cover ground-based launch systems or rockets used to initially put satellites into orbit.
- Does not cover autonomous docking systems that do not specifically utilize the rendezvous-to-locomotive stack architecture.
- Does not cover propulsion systems that do not use the specified ammonia propellant configuration.
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
10/40
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
$53K – $168K
Midpoint $105K · 14.1 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
Clark, V. J. (2022). How Space Taxis and Locomotives Move Satellites Between Orbits (U.S. Patent No. 11,492,143). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11492143/catching-super-heavy-booster
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 Space Taxis and Locomotives Move Satellites Between Orbits cover?
A modular system using a small 'rendezvous' vehicle to collect satellites and a larger 'locomotive' vehicle to haul them to their final destination in space.
Who owns patent US 11492143?
Atomos Nuclear and Space Corp owns this patent, granted in 2022.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 8, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11492143 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
As the number of satellites in orbit increases, moving them to specific, optimal locations becomes expensive and fuel-intensive. This patent provides a blueprint for a 'space tug' infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for every satellite to carry its own massive fuel supply. It represents a shift toward treating space as a logistics network rather than a series of one-off rocket launches.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover single-stage orbital transfer vehicles that move satellites without docking to a secondary locomotive.
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