ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- United States Patent no. 12,698,101, issued on Aug. 4.
"Satellite launch system" was invented by Harlan Donald Bryan (Auburn, Wash.) and Christopher Michael Carey (Issaquah, Wash.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A system for launching aerospace payloads includes a wingless, unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch...