The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 03, 2024
Filed:
Oct. 09, 2020
Orbion Space Technology, Inc., Houghton, MI (US);
Lyon B. King, Allouez, MI (US);
Jason M. Makela, Hancock, MI (US);
Jason D. Sommerville, Hancock, MI (US);
Robert Washeleski, Hancock, MI (US);
ORBION SPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., Houghton, MI (US);
Abstract
A thrust generator is provided for producing thrust to move a spacecraft. The thrust generator includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end is associated with a mount for coupling to the spacecraft. The housing further defines a central axis extending through the first end and the second end. The second end defines an annular propulsion outlet. At least one nozzle is positioned proximate the second end. The thrust generator is selectively operable in a first mode in which the thrust generator uses propellant to electrostatically generate thrust via the annular propulsion outlet, and a second mode in which the thrust generator uses propellant to gas-dynamically generate thrust via the at least one nozzle.