How Multiple Space Projectiles Can Assemble Themselves In Mid-Air
A system that launches several projectiles into the sky simultaneously and uses onboard controls to have them connect or transfer fuel while flying.
Original patent title: “Systems and techniques for launching a payload”
A system that launches several projectiles into the sky simultaneously and uses onboard controls to have them connect or transfer fuel while flying. Granted to EnergeticxNet LLC in 2023 with 6 claims and 3 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The system uses multiple launch mechanisms to fire several projectiles into the atmosphere at once. A central control system manages the launch timing to ensure different projectiles experience different g-loads, which helps protect sensitive equipment. Once in flight, a second control system inside the projectiles takes over. This system manages physical connections, such as tethers or locking mechanisms, and can even transfer propellant between the flying objects to help them reach their final destination.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover single-stage rocket systems that do not involve mid-flight assembly of multiple projectiles.
- Does not cover ground-based assembly of payloads before the launch sequence begins.
- Does not cover standard satellite docking procedures that occur in orbit rather than during the atmospheric flight phase.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
Instead of building one giant, expensive rocket to carry everything, it uses multiple smaller, cheaper launches and lets the projectiles 'meet up' in the air to combine their resources.
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
Proposed ram accelerator space launch systems
Multi-stage kinetic energy launch platforms
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent addresses the high cost and extreme acceleration forces associated with traditional rockets. By splitting a mission into multiple projectiles that assemble in flight, it proposes a way to launch delicate instruments that might otherwise be destroyed by the intense g-forces of a single, massive rocket launch.
Filed
June 19, 2018
Granted
August 15, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The technology is primarily conceptual, relating to advanced research in ram accelerators and kinetic launch systems. Organizations like the U.S. Department of Defense and various aerospace research labs explore these high-velocity launch methods, though commercial adoption remains in the experimental phase.
Market impact
This patent represents a niche approach to lowering the barrier for space access. It challenges the traditional reliance on large, vertical-launch chemical rockets by proposing a distributed, modular architecture for atmospheric transit.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The system uses multiple launch mechanisms to fire several projectiles into the atmosphere at once. A central control system manages the launch timing to ensure different projectiles experience different g-loads, which helps protect sensitive equipment. Once in flight, a second control system inside the projectiles takes over. This system manages physical connections, such as tethers or locking mechanisms, and can even transfer propellant between the flying objects to help them reach their final destination.
The clever bit
Instead of building one giant, expensive rocket to carry everything, it uses multiple smaller, cheaper launches and lets the projectiles 'meet up' in the air to combine their resources.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover single-stage rocket systems that do not involve mid-flight assembly of multiple projectiles.
- Does not cover ground-based assembly of payloads before the launch sequence begins.
- Does not cover standard satellite docking procedures that occur in orbit rather than during the atmospheric flight phase.
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
12/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
4/20
Moderate scope
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
$41K – $130K
Midpoint $81K · 12.0 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
6 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Russell, M. C. (2023). How Multiple Space Projectiles Can Assemble Themselves In Mid-Air (U.S. Patent No. 11,724,824). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11724824/starlink-v2-satellite
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 Multiple Space Projectiles Can Assemble Themselves In Mid-Air cover?
A system that launches several projectiles into the sky simultaneously and uses onboard controls to have them connect or transfer fuel while flying.
Who owns patent US 11724824?
EnergeticxNet LLC owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on August 15, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11724824 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent addresses the high cost and extreme acceleration forces associated with traditional rockets. By splitting a mission into multiple projectiles that assemble in flight, it proposes a way to launch delicate instruments that might otherwise be destroyed by the intense g-forces of a single, massive rocket launch.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover single-stage rocket systems that do not involve mid-flight assembly of multiple projectiles.
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