Patent for trajectory
When discussing the negative side effects of the current patent system, it is helpful to recall the story of the AMC-14 satellite , which was lost in March 2008.
The geostationary communication satellite AMC-14 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin by request of the telecom operator SES Americom, it was to be used in the satellite television network DISH Network. The planned service life was at least 15 years.
The launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle with a satellite took place on March 14, 2008 from Baikonur. Unfortunately, due to a problem with the engine of the Briz-M upper stage, the load did not reach the planned point. SES Americom and Lockheed Martin attempted to raise the satellite to the geostationary orbit, using the original maneuver with acceleration across the moon. But this idea had to be abandoned. It turned out that the patent for this trajectory belongs to Boeing. As a result, the satellite burned in the atmosphere.
Illustration from US Patent No. 6116545 " Free return lunar flyby transfer method for geosynchronous satellites ".
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The trajectory of motion, which directly follows from the laws of physics, was patented as an innovative "process of moving a satellite."
At that time, a trial was already held between SES Americom and Boeing on another issue, on which Boeing was to pay $ 50 million. Boeing said it would give permission to use the above patent if SES Americom refuses this claim. Although the value of such a patent is doubtful and in court it would hardly have passed, but the SES Americom management decided to take advantage of the opportunity turned up and receive payment on insurance for a lost satellite. Therefore, AMC-14 was quickly taken away from orbit and destroyed. The insurance turned out to be more profitable also because after such a complicated maneuver on the satellite there would be little fuel left and its service life in any case would not exceed four years from the put fifteen.
The geostationary communication satellite AMC-14 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin by request of the telecom operator SES Americom, it was to be used in the satellite television network DISH Network. The planned service life was at least 15 years.
The launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle with a satellite took place on March 14, 2008 from Baikonur. Unfortunately, due to a problem with the engine of the Briz-M upper stage, the load did not reach the planned point. SES Americom and Lockheed Martin attempted to raise the satellite to the geostationary orbit, using the original maneuver with acceleration across the moon. But this idea had to be abandoned. It turned out that the patent for this trajectory belongs to Boeing. As a result, the satellite burned in the atmosphere.
Illustration from US Patent No. 6116545 " Free return lunar flyby transfer method for geosynchronous satellites ".
')
The trajectory of motion, which directly follows from the laws of physics, was patented as an innovative "process of moving a satellite."
At that time, a trial was already held between SES Americom and Boeing on another issue, on which Boeing was to pay $ 50 million. Boeing said it would give permission to use the above patent if SES Americom refuses this claim. Although the value of such a patent is doubtful and in court it would hardly have passed, but the SES Americom management decided to take advantage of the opportunity turned up and receive payment on insurance for a lost satellite. Therefore, AMC-14 was quickly taken away from orbit and destroyed. The insurance turned out to be more profitable also because after such a complicated maneuver on the satellite there would be little fuel left and its service life in any case would not exceed four years from the put fifteen.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/288346/
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