Patents by Inventor Jonathan DE HOLANDA

Jonathan DE HOLANDA has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Spacecraft propulsion system and method of operation
    Patent number: 12410783
    Abstract: A method of operating a spacecraft propulsion system comprises injecting electrons into the plasma surrounding the spacecraft prior to creating the stream of ions, and after commencing creation of the ion stream, continuing the injection of electrons in an amount sufficient to maintain the spacecraft at a positive potential. This method may be implemented in a single thruster. In spacecraft with multiple thrusters the same method may be implemented in each thruster. Where the propulsion system comprises a plurality of thrusters, the method may comprise: operating at least one of the thrusters as a drive thruster, and operating at least one of the thrusters as an auxiliary or “reserve” thruster. The electron source of the at least one auxiliary thruster may be operated before creation of the ion stream to inject the electrons into the plasma surrounding the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: ICEYE OY
    Inventors: Jakub Korczyc, Jonathan De Holanda, Rafal Modrzewski
  • SPACECRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION
    Publication number: 20240125308
    Abstract: A method of operating a spacecraft propulsion system comprises injecting electrons into the plasma surrounding the spacecraft prior to creating the stream of ions, and after commencing creation of the ion stream, continuing the injection of electrons in an amount sufficient to maintain the spacecraft at a positive potential. This method may be implemented in a single thruster. In spacecraft with multiple thrusters the same method may be implemented in each thruster. Where the propulsion system comprises a plurality of thrusters, the method may comprise: operating at least one of the thrusters as a drive thruster, and operating at least one of the thrusters as an auxiliary or “reserve” thruster. The electron source of the at least one auxiliary thruster may be operated before creation of the ion stream to inject the electrons into the plasma surrounding the spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jakub KORCZYC, Jonathan DE HOLANDA, Rafal MODRZEWSKI