ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 16 -- United States Patent no. 12,358,651, issued on July 15.
"Spacecraft with retractable solar sails" was invented by George Payyapilli (Floral Park, N.Y.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A spacecraft with retractable solar sails is a spacecraft that is designed as a semi-autonomous spacecraft that can maneuver and propel using radiation pressure. The spacecraft includes a spherical hull and several propulsion mechanisms. The spherical hull houses the propulsion mechanisms, the payload, and other systems that enable the semi-autonomous operation of the spacecraft. The spherical hull also enables the semi-autonomous operation of the propulsion mechanisms. The propulsion m...