{
  "patent_number": "US 8496208",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Spacecraft Use Layered Nets to Stop Orbital Debris",
  "original_title": "Orbit debris removal and asset protection assembly",
  "summary": "A system using multiple layers of specialized fiber nets with varying densities to catch and break up space junk before it hits a satellite.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a protective shield for spacecraft made of multiple layers of netting. Each layer uses meshed composite fibers, such as para-aramid or Dyneema, to intercept and shatter incoming debris. The system is designed so that the thickness of the fibers and the density of the mesh vary between layers, typically becoming finer or denser as the debris passes through. This graduated approach allows the outer layers to break up large debris while inner layers capture smaller fragments, preventing them from damaging the spacecraft's core systems.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover solid shield plates or Whipple shields made of rigid metal.",
    "Does not cover active debris removal methods like lasers, harpoons, or robotic arms.",
    "Does not cover debris mitigation that relies solely on changing a satellite's orbit to avoid collision.",
    "Does not cover nets that consist of a single uniform layer of material."
  ],
  "filed": "2013-02-25",
  "granted": "2013-07-30",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Alliant Techsystems Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/alliant-techsystems-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Steven F. Stone",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/steven-f-stone"
    },
    {
      "name": "Doyle L. Towles",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/doyle-l-towles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jose L. Guerrero",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jose-l-guerrero"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 3,
  "tags": [
    "aerospace",
    "mechanical",
    "materials"
  ],
  "abstract": "An orbital debris removal assembly is provided. The orbital debris removal and asset protection assembly includes a plurality of spaced layers of netting. Each netting layer includes a plurality of sub-layers of meshed composite fibers that are configured and arranged to break up debris that comes in contact with the assembly.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8496208/grid-fins-for-rocket-control",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8496208/grid-fins-for-rocket-control/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US8496208",
  "relatedPatents": []
}