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:
May. 06, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2001
Jon J. Carpenter, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Jeffrey J. Cronick, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Jennifer L. Green, Houston Safety Harbor, TX (US);
Brian R. Lindley, Corona del Mar, CA (US);
James K. Wechsler, Irvine, CA (US);
Thomas R. Smith, Westminister, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift to the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.