Wacky Patents

A satellite missed its orbit.  The problem can be fixed but, believe it or not, Boeing has a patent on using the moon, i.e. gravity, to change a satellite’s orbit!  The patent probably wouldn’t hold up in court but because of a different lawsuit Boeing is threatening to sue anyway if the firm uses the procedure.  Since the costs of a lawsuit are high and the satellite is insured, down it may come.

More here including interesting material on space salvage.  Hat tip to Boing Boing.  Tabarrok on patent reform here.

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