UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTIVIENT OF CONINIERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMNIISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 223l3-l450
`www usptogov
`
` l 2/8 ] 5,306 03/25/20] 4 867832] 03456378003JJS02 1105
`25006
`7500
`03/05/2014
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PERKINS COIE LLP - SEA General
`PATENT—SEA
`P.(). BOX 1247
`SEATTLE, WA 981 1 1-1247
`
`The projected patent number and issue date are specified above.
`
`ISSUE NOTIFICATION
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustment is 533 day(s). Any patent to issue from the above-identified application will
`include an indication of the adjustment on the front page.
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) was filed in the above-identified application, the filing date that
`determines Patent Term Adjustment is the filing date of the most recent CPA.
`
`Applicant will be able to obtain more detailed information by accessing the Patent Application Information
`Retrieval (PAIR) WEB site (http://pair.uspto.gov).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the
`Office of Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee
`payments should be directed to the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) of the Office of Data Management
`(ODM) at (571)—272—4200.
`
`APPLICANT(S) (Please see PAIR WEB sile http://pair.usplo.gov [or additional applicants):
`
`Jeffrey P. Bczos, Greater Seattle, WA;
`Gary Lai, Seattle. WA;
`Sean R. Findlay, Seattle, WA;
`
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation, and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
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`the world to develop technology, manufacture products, and grow your business, Visit SelectUSA.00v.
`
`IR103 (Rev. 10/09)
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 1 of 340
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`IINITED STATES DEPARTIVIENT OF CONEMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P O Box 1450
`Alexandila, Virginia 22313-1450
`“’WWJ‘SPLO gOV
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`_
`02/04/2014
`7500
`23006
`PERKINS COIE LLP — SEA General
`PATENT—SEA
`mox 1247
`SEATTLE, WA 98111-1247
`
`EXAMINER
`
`RODRIGIEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3545
`DATE MAILED: 02/04/2014
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`FIL1NG DATE
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`12/815,306
`06/14/2010
`Jeffrey P. Bezos
`034563-8003US 02
`1105
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SEA LANDING OF SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND NETHODS
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`
`
`PREV. PAID ISSUE : * —
`
`
`
`nonprovisionnl
`
`SMALL
`
`S480
`
`$0
`
`$0
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`$480
`
`DATE DUE
`
`05/05/2014
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO VVITHDRAVVAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY TIIE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATION FEE (IF REQUIRED) MUST BE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE
`MAILING DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED.
`THIS
`STATUTORY PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED.
`SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES
`NOT REFLECT A CREDIT FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION.
`IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS
`PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN THIS APPLICATION (AS SHOWN ABOVE), THE RETURN OF PART B OF THIS FORM
`WILL BE CONSIDERED A REQUEST TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THE ISSUE FEE NOW
`DUE.
`
`HOW TO REPLY TO THIS NOTICE:
`
`1. Review the ENTITY STATUS shown above. If the ENTITY STATUS is shown as SMALL or MICRO, verify whether entitlement to that
`entity status still applies.
`If the ENTITY STATUS is the same as shown above, pay the TOTAL FEE(S) DUE shown above.
`If the ENTITY STATUS is changed from that shown above, on PART B — FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, complete section number 5 titled
`"Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)".
`For purposes of this notice, small entity fees are 1/2 the amount of undiscounted fees, and micro entity fees are 1/2 the amount of small entity
`fees.
`
`II. PART B — FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(U SP’l'O) with your lSSUE FEE and PUBLlCA’l'lON FEE (if required). lf you are charging the fee(s) to your deposit account, section "4b“
`of Part B - Fee(s) Transmittal should be completed and an extra copy of the form should be submitted. If an equivalent of Part B is filed, a
`request to reapply a previously paid issue fee must be clearly made, and delays in processing may occur due to the difficulty in recognizing
`the paper as an equivalent of Part B.
`
`III. All communications regarding this application must give the application number. Please direct all communications prior to issuance to
`Mail Stop lSSUE FEE unless advised to the contrary.
`
`IMPORTANT REMINDER: Utility patents issuing on applications filed on or after Dec. 12, 1980 may require payment of
`maintenance fees. It is patentee's responsibility to ensure timely payment of maintenance fees when due.
`
`PTOL—85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 2 of 340
`
`

`

`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), to: 1V_Iail Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1 450
`or m (571)-273-2885
`through 5 should be completed where
`INSTRUCTIONS: This form should be used for transmitting the ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required) Blocks 1
`1arppiopriate. All further coriespondence including the Patent advance ordeis and notification of maintenance fees will be mailed to the current correspondence address as
`ic11ted unless corrected below or directed otherwise in Block 1 by (11) specifying a new correspondence address; and/or (b) indicating a separate "FEE ADDRESS” lor
`maintenance fee notifications
`Note: A certificate of mailin can only be used for domestic mailings of the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certi icate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`ave its own certificate of mailing or transmission.
`paper's. Each additional paper such as an assignment or lormal drawing must
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittalis being deposited with the United
`States Postal Seivice with sufficient postage for first class mailin an envelope
`addressed to the Mail Stop lSSLE FEE address above or being facsimile
`transmitted to the USPTO (571) 273-2885, on the date indicated below.
`
`CURRENT CORRhSPONDhNCE ADDRESS (hots: LS: Block 1117f any Change of aimless)
`
`“2/04/20 14
`7590
`230%
`PERKINS COIE 111.1) - SEA General
`PATENT SEA
`"
`PO. BOX 1247
`
`SEATTLEW11981111217
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`FILING DATE
`FIRST NAMED IWENTOR
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`12/8 15,3 06
`06/14/2010
`Jeffrey P Bezos
`034563-80031US 02
`1105
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SEA LANDING OF SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND NETHODS
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`SMA11I1S4SO
`
`RODRIGUEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3645
`
`244- 158900
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PREV PAID ISSUE
`
`TOTAL FEEtS) DUE
`
`$480
`
`DATE DUE
`
`(15/05/201 4
`
`1. Change of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`(1« 1363)
`
`:1 Chan e of conessgimdeuce address (oi Change of Correspondence
`Address orm PTO/
`/12) attached.
`:1 "Fee Address' indication (or "Fee Address" Indication form
`TO/SB/47; Rev 03-02 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`Number is required.
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page, list
`(1) The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively.
`(2) The name of a single firm (having as a member a
`registered attorney or agent) and the names 01' up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no name is
`listed no name will be printed.
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`If an assignee is identified below the document has been filed for
`LEASE NOTE. Unless an assignee is identified below no assignee data will appear on the patent.
`recordation as set lorth'in 37(FR 3 ..11 (ompletion ()1 this lorm'Is \101 a substitute lor liling an assignment.
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) : D Individual D Corporation or other private group entity D Government
`4a. The following fee(s) are submitted:
`4b. Payment of Fee(s): (Please first reapply any previously paid issue fee shown above)
`:1 Issue Fee
`:1 A check is enclosed
`:1 Publication Fee (No small entity discount permitted)
`:1 Payment by credit card. Form PT072038 is attached.
`:1 Advance Order - # of Copies
`:1 The Director is hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency. or credits any \
`overpayment. to Depos1t Account Number
`(enclose an extra copy of this form)
`1J- . Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`:1 Applicant certifying micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29
`
`:1 Applicant asserting small entity status See 37 CFR 1.27
`
`NOTE: Absent a valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see forms PTO/SB/ 15A and 15B). issue
`fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`N_OTE: If the application was previously undei 111ic1o entity status, checking this box will be taken
`toToa notification of loss of entitlement to micro entity status.
`NO1h: Checking this box will be taken to be a notilication 01 loss of entitlement to small or micro
`] Applicant changing to regular undiscounted l'ee status.
`entity status. as applicable.
`
`NOTE: This form must be si ned in accordance with 37 CFR 1131 and 11331 See 37 CFR 114 for si nature re uirements and certifications.
`
`
`
`
`
`Authorized Signature
`
`Typed or printed name
`
`
`Date
`
`Registration No.
`
`PTOL—85 Part B (10-13) Approved for use through 10/31/2013.
`
`Page 2 of 3
`OMB 0651-0033
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office: US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 3 of 340
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`IINITED STATES DEPARTIVIENT OF CONEMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Addiess: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P O Box 1450
`Alexandiiu, Virginia 22313-1450
`WWW.l\SpLO gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`FILING DATE
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`12/815,306
`06/14/2010
`Jeffrey P. Bems
`03456378003USO2
`1105
`—
`02/04/2014
`7500
`23005
`PERKINS COIE LLP — SEA General
`PATENT—SEA
`mox 1247
`SEATTLE, WA 98111-1247
`
`RODRTGTTEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3645
`DATE MAILED: 02/04/2014
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustment to date is 249 day(s). If the issue fee is paid on the date that is three months after the
`mailing date of this notice and the patent issues on the Tuesday before the date that is 28 weeks (six and a half
`months) after the mailing date of this notice, the Patent Term Adjustment will be 249 day(s).
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) was filed in the above—identified application, the filing date that
`determines Patent Term Adjustment is the filing date of the most recent CPA.
`
`Applicant will be able to obtain more detailed information by accessing the Patent Application Information Retrieval
`(PAIR) WEB site (http://pair.uspto.g0v).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
`Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
`directed to the Customer Service Center of the Office of Patent Publication at 1—(888)—786—0101 or (571)—272—4200.
`
`PTOL—85 (ReVI 02/11)
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 4 of 340
`
`

`

`OMB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
`
`The Paperwork Reduction Act (:PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and
`Budget approval before requesting most types of information froru the public. When OMB approves an agency
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`1320.5(b).
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`The information collected by PTOL—85 Part B is required by 37 CFR 1.311. The information is required to obtain
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`Trademark Office, U S Department of Commerce, I’.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. DO NOT
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`The Privacy Act of 1974 (PL. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your
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`proceedings or abandonment of the application or expiration of the patent.
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`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`1. The inforrnatiou 011 this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the Freedom of
`Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of records
`may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether disclosure of these records is required
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`2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of presenting evidence
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`4. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the Agency having
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`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this system of
`records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property
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`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for purposes
`of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C.
`218(c)).
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`Services, or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as part of that agency's
`responsibility to recommend improvements in records management practices and programs, under authority
`of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the GSA regulations
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`Such disclosure shall not be used to make determinations about individuals.
`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either publication
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`record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the
`record was filed in an application which beearue abandoned or in which the proceedings were terrniuated
`and which application is referenced by either a published application, an application open to public
`inspection or an issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 5 of 340
`
`

`

`
`
`.
`.
`.
`Notice Of Allowablllty
`
`Application No.
`12/815.306
`'
`SEEK}: RODRIGUEZ
`
`
`
`Applicant(s)
`BEZOS ET AL.
`'
`AIA (First Inventor to
`3313"”
`We) Slams
`No
`
`
`
`Attachment(s)
`1. IX Notice of References Cited (PTO—892)
`2. IXI Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/OB).
`
`Paper No./Mai| Date 12/30/2013 1/16/2014
`3. El Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`4. IX Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`
`Paper No./Mai| Date 1-15—14.
`
`/V. R./
`/Rob Swiatek/
`
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 3645
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3643
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address—
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application.
`If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`
`1. IX This communication is responsive to claims filed 12/30/2013: telephone interview of 1/17/2014.
`
`I] A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2. [I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`3. IX The allowed claim(s) is/are 2-4 7-10 12—16 18 20 21. As a result of the allowed claim(s). you may be eligible to benefit from the
`Patent Prosecution Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more
`'
`.igsp_ or send an inquiry to E
`
`
`; the restriction
`
`4. I] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)—(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`*0) I] None of the:
`a) I] All
`b) I] Some
`1. El Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. [I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. _
`3. El Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE “MAILING DATE" of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below. Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT of this application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5. I] CORRECTED DRAWINGS ( as “replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`
`El
`
`including changes required by the attached Examiner’s Amendment/ Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`.
`ldentitying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawings in the front (not the back) of
`each sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6. I] DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner’s comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`5. IX Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`6. El Examiner‘s Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. El Other
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark OIIIoe
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140115
`
`Notice ol Allowability
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 6 of 340
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
`
`Page 2
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
`
`An extension of time under 37 CFR 1.136(a) is required in order to make an
`
`examiner’s amendment which places this application in condition for allowance. During
`
`a telephone conversation conducted on 1/17/2014 with MR STEVE ARNETT, agreed to
`
`an extension of time for ONE MONTH (thus extending the period for reply to a total of
`
`six months from the mailing date of the final rejection) and authorized the Director to
`
`charge Deposit Account No. 50-0665 the required fee of $400.00 for this extension and
`
`authorized the following examiner’s amendment. Should the changes and/or additions
`
`be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR
`
`1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later
`
`than the payment of the issue fee.
`
`An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes
`
`and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided
`
`by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be
`
`submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
`
`Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given in a telephone interview
`
`with MR STEVE ARNETT on 1/17/2014.
`
`Claims 3, 4 have been amended to read as follows:
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 7 of 340
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
`
`Page 3
`
`3.
`
`The method of claim 4 wherein the landing structure is a floating platform.
`
`4.
`
`A method for operating a space launch vehicle, the method comprising:
`
`launching the space launch vehicle from earth in a nose-first orientation, wherein
`
`launching the space launch vehicle includes igniting one or more rocket engines
`
`on the space launch vehicle;
`
`reorienting the space launch vehicle to a tail-first orientation after launch;
`
`positioning a landing structure in a body of water; and
`
`vertically landing the space launch vehicle on the landing structure in the body of water
`
`in the tail-first orientation while providing thrust from at least one of the one or
`
`more rocket engines.
`
`Claim 5 has been cancelled.
`
`Claim 6 has been cancelled.
`
`Claim 10 has been amended to read as follows:
`
`10.
`
`The method of claim 4 wherein the space launch vehicle includes a
`
`payload carried on an upper stage mounted to a booster stage, wherein igniting one or
`
`more rocket engines includes igniting one or more rocket engines on the booster stage
`
`to launch the space launch vehicle from a launch site on land, wherein reorienting the
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`space launch vehicle includes reorienting the booster stage to a tail-first orientation, and
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`wherein the method further comprises:
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 8 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`turning off the one or more rocket engines on the booster stage;
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`separating the upper stage from the booster stage at a predetermined altitude;
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`receiving positional information from the landing platform and controlling a
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`trajectory of the booster stage as is moves toward the landing platform in the tail-first
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`orientation based on the positional information; and
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`reigniting the one or more rocket engines on the booster stage prior to landing,
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`wherein the landing structure is a mobile landing platform, and wherein vertically landing
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`the space launch vehicle includes vertically landing the booster stage on the mobile
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`landing platform.
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`Claim 11 has been cancelled.
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`Claims 12, 13, 15, 16, 20 have been amended to read as follows:
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`12.
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`A method for transporting a payload to space, the method comprising:
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`coupling the payload to a booster stage of a rocket, the booster stage having a fonNard
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`end portion spaced apart from an aft end portion and one or more rocket engines
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`positioned toward the aft end portion;
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`positioning a floating platform in a body of water;
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`igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines and launching the rocket toward
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`space in a nose-first orientation;
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`turning off at least one of the ignited one or more rocket engines;
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`separating the payload from the booster stage;
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 9 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`Page 5
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`after separating and turning off,
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`reorienting the booster stage from the nose-first
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`orientation to a tail-first orientation;
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`after reorienting,
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`igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines to decelerate
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`the booster stage; and
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`landing the booster stage on the floating platform in the tail-first orientation, wherein
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`landing the booster stage includes performing a powered, vertical landing of the
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`booster stage on the platform.
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`13.
`
`The method of claim 12, further comprising:
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`after the booster stage has separated from the payload and followed a ballistic
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`trajectory,
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`deploying an aerodynamic control surface from the booster stage to facilitate
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`reorienting the booster stage from the nose-first orientation to a tail-first orientation.
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`15.
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`The method of claim 12, further comprising:
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`operating one or more propulsive thrusters mounted to the booster stage to facilitate
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`reorienting the booster stage from the nose-first orientation to a tail-first
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`orientation.
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`16.
`
`The method of claim 12, further comprising:
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`moving an aerodynamic control surface on the booster stage to at least partially control
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`a flight path of the booster stage toward the platform based on platform positional
`
`information received from the platform.
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 10 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`Page 6
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`20.
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`A system for providing access to space, the system comprising:
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`a space launch vehicle, wherein the space launch vehicle includes one or more rocket
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`engines;
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`a launch site;
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`a sea going platform;
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`means for launching the launch vehicle from the launch site a first time, wherein the
`
`means for launching include means for igniting the one or more rocket engines
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`and launching the vehicle in a nose-first orientation;
`
`means for shutting off the one or more rocket engines;
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`means for reorienting the launch vehicle from the nose-first orientation to a tail-first
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`orientation before landing;
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`means for reigniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines when the launch
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`vehicle is in the tail-first orientation to decelerate the vehicle;
`
`means for landing at least a portion of the launch vehicle on the sea going platform in a
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`body of water, wherein the means for landing include means for landing in the
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`tail-first orientation while the one or more rocket engines are thrusting; and
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`means for launching at least a portion of the launch vehicle from the launch site a
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`second time.
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 11 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`Page 7
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`The following new claim 21 has been added:
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`21.
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`The method of claim 12:
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`wherein igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines includes igniting a first
`
`rocket engine,
`
`wherein turning off at least one of the one or more rocket engines includes turning off
`
`the first rocket engine, and
`
`wherein, after reorienting,
`
`igniting at
`
`least one of
`
`the one or more rocket engines
`
`includes reigniting the first rocket engine.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claims 2-4, 7-10, 12-16, 18, 20-21 have been allowed.
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`The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
`
`With regard to claim 4, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
`
`limitations of claim 4. Specifically, “positioning a landing structure in a body of water;
`
`and vertically landing the space launch vehicle on the landing structure in the body of
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`water in the tail-first orientation while providing thrust from at least one of the one or
`
`more rocket engines.”
`
`The closest prior art is Webb and Brand. Webb does not teach or suggest
`
`positioning a landing structure in a body of water; and vertically landing the space
`
`launch vehicle on the landing structure in the body of water in the tail-first orientation
`
`while providing thrust from at least one of the one or more rocket engines.
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 12 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`Page 8
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`The invention of Brand specifically teaches away from the use of rocket engines
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`in the booster stage, and accordingly does not teach or suggest the above limitation.
`
`In regards to claim 12, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
`
`limitations of claim 12. Specifically, Webb does no teach or render obvious the limitation
`
`“positioning a floating platform in a body of water; landing the booster stage on the
`
`floating platform in the tail-first orientation, wherein landing the booster stage includes
`
`performing a powered, vertical landing of the booster stage on the platform.”
`
`Brand dose not teach or render obvious the limitation of claim 12 whereby
`
`“igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines and launching the rocket toward
`
`space in a nose-first orientation; turning off at least one of the ignited one or more
`
`rocket engines; after reorienting, igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines
`
`to decelerate the booster stage.”
`
`In regards to claim 14, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
`
`limitations of claim 14. Specifically, neither Webb nor Brand teach or render obvious the
`
`limitation “positioning a floating platform in a body of water; after the booster stage has
`
`separated from the pay/oad and followed a ballistic trajectory, deploying one or more
`
`flared control surfaces from the forward end portion of the booster stage to facilitate
`
`reorienting the booster stage from the nose-first orientation to a tail-first orientation; and
`
`landing the booster stage on the floating platform in the tail-first orientation.”
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1002
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`Page 13 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
`Art Unit: 3645
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`Page 9
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`In regards to claim 20, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
`
`limitations of claim 20. Specifically, neither Webb nor Brand teach or render obvious the
`
`limitation “landing at least a portion of the launch vehicle on the sea going platform in a
`
`body of water, wherein the means for landing include means for landing in the tail-first
`
`orientation while the one or more rocket engines are thrusting.”
`
`However, neither Webb nor Brand, singularly or in combination, teach or render
`
`obvious the above limitations.
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`Conclusion
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`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later
`
`than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably
`
`accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on
`
`Statement of Reasons for Allowance."
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`Any inquiry concerning this commun