`
`1%
`
`\‘
`
`
`\
`3
`.1
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF CONLMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVIISSIONER I‘OR I’A'l El\ IS
`F 0. Box 1450
`Alexandria Virginia 22313-1450
`\vww.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`15 SUE DATE
`PATENT NO.
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`CONTIRMATION NO.
` 12/815306 03/25/2014 867832] ()34563-8003USU2 1105
`25096
`7590
`03/05/2014
`PERKINS COIE LLP — SEA General
`PATENT—SEA
`PO. BOX 1247
`SEATTLE, WA 98111—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
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`
`APPLICANT(S) (Please see PAIR WEB site http://pair.usplo.gov for additional applicants):
`
`Jeffrey P. Bezos, Greater Seattle, WA;
`Gary Lai. Seattle. WA:
`Sean R. Findlay. Seattle, \VA;
`
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
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`the world to develop technology. manufacture products. and grow your business, visit SelectUSAgov.
`
`IRIO} (Rev, 10/09)
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`Page 1 of 340
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTLIENT OF COMIVIERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COVIMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P () Box 1430
`Alexandria. Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`-
`02/04/2014
`1590
`25096
`PERKINS COIE LIP — SEA General
`PATENT-SEA
`Po. Box 1247
`SEAT” H WA 98111-1247
`
`RODRIGUEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3645
`DATE MAILED: 02/04/2014
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTOKVEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`034563-8003.USUZ
`Jeffrey P. Bezos
`06/14/2010
`12/815.306
`
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SEA LANDING OF SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`
`1105
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`SMALL
`
`$480
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`$0
`
`PREV. PAID ISSUE FEE
`$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 WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY TIIE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
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`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.
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`II. PART B — FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
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`PTOL-SS (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`Page 2 of 340
`
`
`
`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), to: N_lail Mail Stop lSSU E F 11111)
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`or & (571)-273-2885
`through5should be completed where
`INSTRUCTIONS: This form should be used for transmitting the ISSLE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required) Blocks 1
`appropriate. A11 further correspondence including the Patent, advance orders and notification of maintenance fees will be mailed to the current correspondence address as
`indicated unless corrected below or directed otherwise in Block 1, by (a) specifying a new correspondence address: and/or (b) indicating a separate "FEE ADDRESS" for
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`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS {NOW USE 310911 1 fol any Chang: of address}
`
`02/04/2014
`7590
`25096
`PERKINS COIE LLP — SEA General
`PATENT SEA
`"
`PO. BOX 1247
`
`Note: A certificate of mailin can only be used for domestic mailings of the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certificate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`ave its own certificate of mailing or transmission.
`papers. Each additional paper such as an assignment or formal drawing. must
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
`States Postal Service with sufficient postage for first class mail in an envelope
`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being facsimile
`transmitted to the USP'l'O (571) 273-2885, on the date indicated below.
`
`Sit-111111.“111931111247
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`FILING DATE
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`12/815,306
`06/14/2010
`Jeffrey P. Bezos
`0.145634300311802
`1105
`l'l'l'LE Ol" Il\VEN'1'ION: SEA LA1\D1NG OF SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES A1\D ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS A1\D METHODS
`
`DATE DI1E
`T()TAL FEEIS1 DITE
`PREV. PAID ISSI1E FEE
`PTTBLICATI()N FEE DITE
`ISSIIE FEE DITE
`ENTITY STATIIS
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`nonprovisional
`SMALL
`$480
`$480
`05/05/2014
`
`RODRIGUEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3645
`
`244—158900
`
`11 Change of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`CFR 1363)
`3 Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`Address form PTO/SB/ 122 1 attached
`3''Fee Address" indication (01‘'Fee Address" Indication form
`PTO/SW47; Rev 03-02 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`Number is required.
`
`
`
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`2. For printing on the patent front page. list
`(1) The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`-') the name of a single firm (having as a member a
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`regislered attorney oragent) and the names of Up lo
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents If no name is
`listed. no name will be printed
`
`l
`~
`7
`3
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`31 ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`PLEASE NOTE: Ifnless an assignee is identified below= no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assignee is identified below, the document has been filed for
`recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3111. Completion of this form is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
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`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:
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`3 Issue Fee
`3 A check is enclosed.
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`3 Payment by credit card. Form PTO-2038 is attached.
`3 Advance Order . # of Copies
`:I The Director is hereby authorized to_ charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credits any _
`overpayment, to Depos1t Account l\umber
`(enclose an extra copy of this form).
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`5. Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`3 Applicant certifying micro entity status. See 37 (111R 1.29
`
`3 Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
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`N_()111: Absent a valid certification of Micro 111ntity Status (see forms PlO/Si1/15A and 1511) issue
`ee—payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`NOTE: If the application was previously under micro entity status. checking this box will be taken
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`Authorized Signature
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`Date
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`l'yped or printed name
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`Registration \Io.
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`PTOLASS Part B (10713) Approved for use through 10/3 1/20131
`
`Page 2 of 3
`OMB 065170033
`
`LES. Patent and Trademark Office; US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`Page 3 of 340
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COW/IISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P () Box 1430
`Alexandria Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`ATTOKVEY DOCKET NO.
`FIRST NrLVIED Il\\7ENTOR
`FILING DATE
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`12/815,306
`06/14/2010
`Jeffrey P. Bezos
`03456378003‘USOZ
`1105
`~
`02/04/2014
`1590
`25096
`PERKINS COIE 141 P — SEA General
`PATENT-SEA
`Po. Box 1247
`SHA'FIVI F VV’A 98111-1247
`
`RODRIGUEZ, VICENTE M
`
`3645
`DATE MAIIFD: 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.
`
`1"1'0L-85 (KeVi 02/11)
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`Page 4 of 340
`
`
`
`OMB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
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`The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and
`Budget approval before requesting most types of information from the public. When OMB approves an agency
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`The information collected by PTOL-SS Part B is required by 37 CFR 1.311. The information is required to obtain
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`La.)
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`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
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`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`Page 5 of 340
`
`
`
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`12/815,306
`BEZOS ET AL.
`'
`'
`AIA (First Inventor to
`-
`-
`-
`573;??? RODRIGU E2
`9221.? mt
`”'9’ 5‘3“”
`Notice Of Allowability
`No
`
`
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable. PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS |S (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. X This communication is responsive to claims filed 12/30/2073' teleghone interview of 7/77/20 74.
`[I A dec|aration(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. X 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
`
`
`
`
`
`information, please see hit ‘://'Wm'\=.us to: ov/batents/init events/
`h/‘indexis or send an inquiry to PPeredbeack®us ‘10. by .
`
`; 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. El 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” ofthis 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. El CORRECTED DRAWINGS ( as “replacement sheets”) must be submitted.
`I:I
`including changes required by the attached Examiner’s Amendment/ Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`.
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR1.84(c)) should be written on the drawings in the tram (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. El DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`a tached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Attachment(s)
`1. X \lotice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2. IX nformation Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/OS),
`
`Paper No./Mai| Date 12/30/2013 1/16/2014
`3. El Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`4. X nterview Summary (PTO-413).
`Paper No./Mai| Date 7-75-74.
`/V. R./
`/Rob Swiatek/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5. IX Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`6. El Examiner's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. I] Other
`
`.
`
`Exarriner, Art Unit 3645
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3643
`
`
`U.S Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140115
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
`
`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 1102
`
`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:
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`10.
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`The method of claim 4 wherein the space launch vehicle includes a
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`payload carried on an upper stage mounted to a booster stage, wherein igniting one or
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`more rocket engines includes igniting one or more rocket engines on the booster stage
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`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 1102
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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 forward
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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
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`Page 9 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
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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.
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`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.
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`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
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`information received from the platform.
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
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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
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`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;
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`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;
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`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 1102
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`Page 11 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
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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
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`rocket engine,
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`wherein turning off at least one of the one or more rocket engines includes turning off
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`the first rocket engine, and
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`wherein, after reorienting,
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`igniting at least one of
`
`the one or more rocket engines
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`includes reigniting the first rocket engine.
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`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:
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`With regard to claim 4, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
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`limitations of claim 4. Specifically, “positioning a landing structure in a body of water;
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`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
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`more rocket engines.”
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`The closest prior art is Webb and Brand. Webb does not teach or suggest
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`positioning a landing structure in a body of water; and vertically landing the space
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`launch vehicle on the landing structure in the body of water in the tall-first orientation
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`while providing thrust from at least one of the one or more rocket engines.
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
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`Page 12 of 340
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`Application/Control Number: 12/815,306
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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.
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`In regards to claim 12, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
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`limitations of claim 12. Specifically, Webb does no teach or render obvious the limitation
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`“positioning a floating platform in a body of water; landing the booster stage on the
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`floating platform in the tail-first orientation, wherein landing the booster stage includes
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`performing a powered, vertical landing of the booster stage on the platform.”
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`Brand dose not teach or render obvious the limitation of claim 12 whereby
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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; turning off at least one of the ignited one or more
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`rocket engines; after reorienting, igniting at least one of the one or more rocket engines
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`to decelerate the booster stage. ”
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`In regards to claim 14, the cited prior art fails to teach or render obvious the
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`limitations of claim 14. Specifically, neither Webb nor Brand teach or render obvious the
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`limitation “positioning a floating platform in a body of water; after the booster stage has
`
`separated from the payload and followed a ballistic trajectory, deploying one or more
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`flared control surfaces from the forward end portion of the booster stage to facilitate
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`reorienting the booster stage from the nose-first orientation to a tail-first orientation; and
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`landing the booster stage on the floating platform in the tail-first orientation.”
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`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1102
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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
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`limitations of claim 20. Specifically, neither Webb nor Brand teach or render obvious the
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`limitation “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 tail-first
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`orientation while the one or more rocket engines are thrusting.”
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`However, neither Webb nor Brand, singularly or in combination, teach or render
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`obvious the above limitations.
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`Conclusion
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`Any comments considered n