How Boeing Stacks Electric Space Vehicles for Launch
A design for a launch vehicle that carries two space vehicles stacked on top of each other, both using electric propulsion systems for movement in space.
Original patent title: “Methods and apparatus for performing propulsion operations using electric propulsion systems”
A design for a launch vehicle that carries two space vehicles stacked on top of each other, both using electric propulsion systems for movement in space. Granted to Boeing Co in 2023 with 21 claims and 2 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a specific way to stack two spacecraft inside a launch vehicle. Each spacecraft has its own electric propulsion system and a core structure. The system uses pivotable mounts to hold propellant tanks, which helps manage the structural loads during the intense vibrations and forces of a rocket launch. By stacking them, the design allows the upper vehicle to transmit launch forces through the lower vehicle's structure, ensuring both survive the trip to orbit.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover chemical rocket engines used for the initial launch phase.
- Does not cover non-electric propulsion systems like traditional liquid fuel combustion engines.
- Does not cover spacecraft that are not stacked in a releasable configuration.
- Does not cover single-stage spacecraft designs without a secondary stacked vehicle.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The use of pivotable mounts for the propellant tanks allows the spacecraft to handle the mechanical stresses of launch without needing heavy, rigid reinforcements that would otherwise eat into the payload weight budget.
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
Satellite constellations
Modular orbital transfer vehicles
Deep space exploration probes
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As the space industry shifts toward smaller, electric-powered satellites and modular spacecraft, launching multiple units efficiently is critical. This design helps aerospace companies maximize the limited space inside a rocket fairing while protecting sensitive electric propulsion components from launch stress.
Filed
June 16, 2020
Granted
July 25, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Boeing is the primary assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → and continues to develop modular space systems. Other major aerospace players like Northrop Grumman and startups focused on orbital logistics are also exploring similar stacked architectures for satellite deployment.
Market impact
This patent supports the trend of 'ridesharing' in space, where multiple satellites or vehicles are launched together to reduce costs. It provides a technical framework for ensuring that delicate electric propulsion hardware can withstand the mechanical rigors of being launched alongside other heavy equipment.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a specific way to stack two spacecraft inside a launch vehicle. Each spacecraft has its own electric propulsion system and a core structure. The system uses pivotable mounts to hold propellant tanks, which helps manage the structural loads during the intense vibrations and forces of a rocket launch. By stacking them, the design allows the upper vehicle to transmit launch forces through the lower vehicle's structure, ensuring both survive the trip to orbit.
The clever bit
The use of pivotable mounts for the propellant tanks allows the spacecraft to handle the mechanical stresses of launch without needing heavy, rigid reinforcements that would otherwise eat into the payload weight budget.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover chemical rocket engines used for the initial launch phase.
- Does not cover non-electric propulsion systems like traditional liquid fuel combustion engines.
- Does not cover spacecraft that are not stacked in a releasable configuration.
- Does not cover single-stage spacecraft designs without a secondary stacked vehicle.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
14/20
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
20/20
Major company or institution
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 · 14.0 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
21 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
III, J. J. P., Caplin, G. N., & Aston, R. W. (2023). How Boeing Stacks Electric Space Vehicles for Launch (U.S. Patent No. 11,708,181). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11708181/mechazilla-catch-tower
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 Boeing Stacks Electric Space Vehicles for Launch cover?
A design for a launch vehicle that carries two space vehicles stacked on top of each other, both using electric propulsion systems for movement in space.
Who owns patent US 11708181?
Boeing Co owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on July 25, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11708181 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
As the space industry shifts toward smaller, electric-powered satellites and modular spacecraft, launching multiple units efficiently is critical. This design helps aerospace companies maximize the limited space inside a rocket fairing while protecting sensitive electric propulsion components from launch stress.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover chemical rocket engines used for the initial launch phase.
Same assignee
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