For innovators developing space technologies, this creates a tension. Patent protection must be secured early, even though commercial use in space may be years away. The solution lies in a bifurcated, or dual-environment, claim strategy. Rather than limiting patent claims to space-based applications, sophisticated patent drafting broadens protection to include terrestrial uses whenever feasible. This supports immediate commercialization on Earth while preserving rights for opportunities that may emerge as the space industry matures.

U.S. Patent No. 10,052,797B2, currently owned by Redwire Space Inc., illustrates this approach. The patent describes a recycling device capable of processing waste, such as broken equipment, plastic packaging and in-situ resources, into feedstock for additive manufacturing. While designed for microgravity environments, the claims are drafted broadly enough to also encompass use on naval vessels, remote research stations and industrial facilities on Earth.

This broad scope of patent coverage is achieved through careful drafting. Patent applications include claims and a specification. The claims define the legal rights that the patent owner has obtained, and the specification – which typically includes background and summary sections, a brief description of the drawings, the drawings themselves and a detailed description – enables a person of skill in the relevant technical area to make and use the invention. While the information in the specification may be used to interpret the language in the claims, the specification itself does not define the legal rights. Accordingly, a savvy patent draftsperson can describe potential uses for an invention (e.g., in space) without limiting the scope of legal protection to that particular use. 

To that end, the specification of Redwire’s ‘797 patent provides robust information regarding potential uses of the recycler device. The background section emphasizes the cost and time required to deliver materials to space, even to frequently visited locations such as the International Space Station, thereby establishing why the recycler device is useful. The background section also briefly describes how waste management can be challenging in other isolated settings, such as on naval vessels at sea for extended periods and at research stations in Antarctica. The summary section states that the invention described therein may “be utilized aboard spacecraft, space habitats, during long duration explorations, at remote outposts, [and] aboard naval vessels.” Even the title emphasizes the intended use of the recycler device, specifically noting “reduced gravity environments.”

However, the claims themselves are completely silent regarding where the recycler device is to be used. These are apparatus claims reciting specific structures, not method claims with steps specifically requiring use in a zero-gravity environment or containing other clauses that might restrict application to a particular environment. Components recited in the claims, such as an extrusion mechanism, a spooling assembly or a housing, are described in language that could cover uses on a military ship or in a polar laboratory as well as on the International Space Station. As a result, these patent rights are versatile and can be asserted against a competitor making the recycler device for use on Earth as well as in outer space. 

This versatility supports immediate monetization and long-term strategic value. Redwire Space isn’t just a space-focused company —it also serves military clients, including NATO and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Because the claims are not limited to use in space, the ‘797 patent may be relevant to defense contractors and government clients. Redwire’s continued payment of its patent maintenance fees as recently as 2022 suggests this dual-environment patent (initially filed in 2014) remains valuable regardless of where the technology claimed therein is being used.

The dual-environment strategy isn’t limited to additive manufacturing efforts. U.S. Patent No. 11,660,557B2 (“Low-gravity water capture device with water stabilization,”) from Sierra Space provides another compelling example. The claims are directed to an apparatus for separating liquid droplets from an air stream, and the detailed description of the specification describes the importance of preserving and reusing water in extraterrestrial missions while minimizing power consumption. Like Redwire’s ‘797 patent, Sierra Space’s ‘557 patent has claims that are drafted to cover uses in multiple environments because the structural components could be used as easily in water recycling systems in submarines, industrial ventilation or remote medical units facing water scarcity as in outer space. 

Sierra Space’s approach is particularly timely. The company’s recent expansion into defense and its continued collaboration with NASA for the Dream Chaser resupply missions reflect its commitment to technologies that bridge both civilian space and military/industrial needs. Water capture and recycling, whether aboard a spacecraft or deep underwater, are fundamental infrastructure challenges. Patents that protect these innovations in a way that aligns with both mission domains represent a forward-thinking business strategy.

These examples highlight a broader lesson under the first-to-file regime. Innovators in space technology must file patent applications early, regardless of shifting mission timelines. By pairing expansive specifications with expertly drafted claims, innovators can protect technologies that serve both space exploration and Earth-based infrastructure—navigating the stars without losing sight of business realities on the ground.

Kate Nuehring Su is a partner and patent attorney at the Chicago-based intellectual property law firm Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP. Vanessa Wang is an associate at the firm.