US Patent Issued to Fenix Space on Nov. 4 for "System and method for improved air-launch of a launch vehicle from a towed aircraft" (California, Oregon Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 6 -- United States Patent no. 12,459,672, issued on Nov. 4, was assigned to Fenix Space Inc. (San Bernardino, Calif.).

"System and method for improved air-launch of a launch vehicle from a towed aircraft" was invented by Michael J. Gallo (San Bernardino, Calif.) and Gregory M. Cole (Bend, Ore.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at...