{
  "patent_number": "US 9073647",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "A Modular Launch System with an Expandable Mast for Spacecraft",
  "original_title": "Space shuttle orbiter and return system",
  "summary": "A spacecraft launch system that uses an expandable mast to connect a nose and tail, allowing it to carry modular payloads and land horizontally after releasing them.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a launch vehicle consisting of a nose section and a tail section connected by a central mast. This mast can extend or retract, allowing the vehicle to change its length to accommodate different payloads or fuel modules between the nose and tail. Once the payload is released in orbit, the system retracts the mast to bring the nose and tail together, forming a compact, aerodynamic shape capable of horizontal landing. The aerodynamic surfaces are specifically designed only to support the weight of the vehicle itself during this landing phase.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover launch systems that lack an expandable mast mechanism.",
    "Does not cover aerodynamic surfaces designed to support payloads during landing.",
    "Does not cover non-modular, single-piece rocket designs.",
    "Does not cover vertical landing systems (e.g., propulsive landing)."
  ],
  "filed": "2013-04-25",
  "granted": "2015-07-07",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Biosphere Aerospace LLC",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/biosphere-aerospace-llc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Elie Helou, Jr.",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/elie-helou-jr"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 4,
  "tags": [
    "aerospace",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "A launch system comprises a nose section comprising a nose coupling surface, a tail section comprising a tail coupling surface facing the nose coupling surface and a mast coupling the nose and tail sections. The mast is configured to expand and retract to displace the nose and tail sections within a range of distances from one another. In a retracted state, the nose and tail sections are either structurally coupled to one another at the nose and tail coupling surfaces or structurally coupled to at least one integrated module located between the nose and the tail sections.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9073647/propulsive-landing-of-rocket-stages",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9073647/propulsive-landing-of-rocket-stages/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US9073647",
  "relatedPatents": []
}