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US4240601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for observing the features characterizing the surface of a land mass
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1979-05-30
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A method wherein a propeller driven, hydrazine powered aircraft is remotely piloted through rarefied atmosphere of a selected planet, including the planet Earth, and employed as a communication platform for a telemetry system provided for relaying information relating to features characterizing the surface of the planet.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:01
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/62; B64U; B64U10/00; B64U10/50; B64U20/00; B64U20/50; B64U30/00; B64U30/10; B64U30/12; B64U70/00; B64U70/80; B64U70/83; B64U2101/00; B64U2101/20; B64U2101/30; B64U2101/31; B64U2201/00; B64U2201/20; B64U50/00; B64U50/10; B64U50/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for achieving surveillance of the surface of a celestial body having a rarefied atmosphere comprising the steps of: A. deploying from a parachute into the atmosphere a propeller-driven aircraft; B. piloting the aircraft in a horizontal cruise mode above the surface of the body, whereby the aircraft is caused to fly over portions of the surface to be monitored; and C. monitoring the portions of the surface during the flight of the aricraft thereover.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for achieving surveillance of the surface of a celestial body having a rarefied atmosphere comprising the steps of: A. deploying from a parachute into the atmosphere a propeller-driven aircraft; B. piloting the aircraft in a horizontal cruise mode above the surface of the body, whereby the aircraft is caused to fly over portions of the surface to be monitored; and C. monitoring the portions of the surface during the flight of the aricraft thereover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a method for observing features characterizing the surface of a land mass of a planet, the steps comprising: A. launching into an atmosphere above the land mass an aircraft folded into a collapsed configuration and suspended from a parachute, said aircraft being equipped with a propulsion unit including a bladed propeller, a reciprocating mono-propellant engine for driving the propeller, and electronic observation devices; B. erecting the aircraft into an air-worthy configuration; C. piloting the aircraft through the atmosphere and electronically observing the features characterizing the land mass; and D. transmitting to a station remotely related to the aircraft intelligence relating to the observed features.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a method for observing features characterizing the surface of a land mass of a planet, the steps comprising: A. launching into an atmosphere above the land mass an aircraft folded into a collapsed configuration and suspended from a parachute, said aircraft being equipped with a propulsion unit including a bladed propeller, a reciprocating mono-propellant engine for driving the propeller, and electronic observation devices; B. erecting the aircraft into an air-worthy configuration; C. piloting the aircraft through the atmosphere and electronically observing the features characterizing the land mass; and D. transmitting to a station remotely related to the aircraft intelligence relating to the observed features.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of launching an aircraft into the atmosphere includes the steps of projecting the aircraft into the atmosphere encased in a protective aeroshell and expelling the aircraft from the aeroshell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the aircraft comprises a collapsable aircraft stowed in the aeroshell in a collapsed configuration and adapted to be expanded upon an expulsion thereof from the aeroshell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2763447A
Cited
US3744741A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |