US 12,330,817 B1
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for tether-based reaction control and orbital energy reduction
Arthur M. Dula, Houston, TX (US); Neha Satak, Bengaluru (IN); and Prasad Laxminarayana, Bengaluru (IN)
Assigned to Excalibur Almaz USA, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Excalibur Almaz USA, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2025, as Appl. No. 19/072,360.
Application 19/072,360 is a continuation of application No. 18/304,812, filed on Apr. 21, 2023.
Application 18/304,812 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/469,941, filed on Aug. 27, 2014, granted, now 11,724,836, issued on Aug. 15, 2023.
Application 14/469,941 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/025,822, filed on Sep. 13, 2013, abandoned.
Application 14/025,822 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2012/028841, filed on Mar. 12, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/801,092, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/464,963, filed on Mar. 12, 2011.
Int. Cl. B64G 1/62 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/623 (2023.08) 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for atmospheric reentry, comprising:
a spacecraft configured to transit an atmosphere;
a plurality of tethers, each tether having:
a proximal end attached to the spacecraft at an attachment point offset from a center of mass of the spacecraft; and
a distal end configured to trail behind the spacecraft during atmospheric transit;
wherein the tethers are configured to engage with the atmosphere to passively generate drag and impart a differential tether force on the spacecraft, thereby creating a moment about the center of mass of the spacecraft to passively alter the spacecraft's angle of attack.