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.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 13, 2026

Filed:

Apr. 11, 2023
Applicant:

Trans Astronautica Corporation, Lake View Terrace, CA (US);

Inventor:

Joel C. Sercel, Lake View Terrace, CA (US);

Assignee:

Trans Astronautica Corporation, Lake View Terrace, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21C 51/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/10 (2006.01); B64G 1/22 (2006.01); B64G 1/24 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/44 (2006.01); B64G 1/64 (2006.01); B64G 99/00 (2009.01); F03H 99/00 (2009.01); F24S 20/50 (2018.01); F24S 23/00 (2018.01); F24S 23/70 (2018.01); F24S 23/71 (2018.01); F24S 23/79 (2018.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21C 51/00 (2013.01); B64G 1/22 (2013.01); B64G 1/2425 (2023.08); B64G 1/40 (2013.01); B64G 1/401 (2013.01); B64G 1/4024 (2023.08); B64G 1/646 (2013.01); B64G 1/1078 (2013.01); B64G 1/2227 (2023.08); B64G 1/446 (2013.01); B64G 99/00 (2022.08); F03H 99/00 (2013.01); F24S 20/50 (2018.05); F24S 23/12 (2018.05); F24S 23/70 (2018.05); F24S 23/71 (2018.05); F24S 23/715 (2018.05); F24S 23/79 (2018.05); Y02E 10/40 (2013.01);
Abstract

A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Sercel, Joel. (2026). Optics and structure for space applications (U.S. Patent No. 12760647). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://idiyas.com/patent/badge/12760647

Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile

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