Patent ID: 7587325

Claim:
A method of insuring against satellite launch failure including rescue reservations comprising the steps of: purchasing a satellite for orbiting the earth; obtaining a launch insurance policy prior to launching the satellite from Earth, wherein the launch insurance policy including a rescue mission provision from a guarantor covering the launch of the satellite into an unintended orbit, the rescue mission provision providing for the payment to a rescue mission provider of a rescue mission in the event that the satellite is launched into an unintended orbit but otherwise remains functional, the rescue mission provision specifying that the rescue mission shall include 1) providing a extension spacecraft having guidance, navigation and control systems for position control of the extension spacecraft and satellite combination and having an onboard propellant supply sufficient for moving the extension spacecraft and satellite combination from one orbit to another orbit, 2) launching the extension spacecraft into space, 3) mechanically connecting the extension spacecraft to the satellite launched into an unintended orbit, and 4) utilizing the extension spacecraft's guidance, navigation and control systems and onboard propellant supply to move the satellite from the unintended orbit to an intended operational orbit; triggering the rescue mission provision in the event that the satellite is launched into an unintended orbit but the satellite otherwise remains functional; calculating the rescue mission costs; paying a rescue mission provider for a rescue mission by the guarantor in accordance with the launch insurance policy; and initiating the rescue mission for moving the satellite from the unintended orbit to an intended operational orbit, comprising the additional steps of: providing a extension spacecraft having guidance, navigation and control systems for position control of the extension spacecraft and satellite combination and having an onboard propellant supply sufficient for moving the extension spacecraft and satellite combination from one orbit to another orbit; launching the extension spacecraft into space; moving the extension spacecraft to within proximity of the satellite launched into an unintended orbit; mechanically connecting the extension spacecraft to the satellite launched into an unintended orbit; and utilizing the extension spacecraft's guidance, navigation and control systems and onboard propellant supply to move the satellite from the unintended orbit to an intended operational orbit.