Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/198,569

Ultra-low Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (ULGEO) Sunbelts

Non-Final OA §102§112§Other
Filed
May 17, 2023
Examiner
ELLIS, CHRISTOPHER P
Art Unit
3644
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Sunlight Aerospace, Inc.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
82%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allow Rate
621 granted / 757 resolved
+30.0% vs TC avg
Minimal -0% lift
Without
With
+-0.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
769
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
33.5%
-6.5% vs TC avg
§102
36.4%
-3.6% vs TC avg
§112
15.2%
-24.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 757 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §112 §Other
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claims 1 and 11 present a geostationary orbit positioned within a range of 10 to 15 miles. However, it is common knowledge that in accordance with Kepler’s law of orbits only one geostationary orbit exists at a specific altitude of 35,786 kilometer. Applicant’s specification, particularly para. 27, recites similar contrasting and confusing language. To add, at lower altitudes, geosynchronous orbits exist having an inclination and establishing “pseudo-stationary” orbital paths. Pham describes HAC platforms in such an orbit, page 5. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. As best understood, Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being clearly anticipated by Pham, previously established. Pham discloses and aerial communication system that operates as in the claimed invention. See especially fig. 1, pages 5 and 9. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER P ELLIS whose telephone number is (571)272-6914. The examiner can normally be reached normal business hours. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Tim Collins can be reached at 571.272.6886. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /CHRISTOPHER P ELLIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3644
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 17, 2023
Application Filed
Jul 17, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 19, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §112, §Other
Jul 24, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §112, §Other (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
82%
Grant Probability
82%
With Interview (-0.3%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 757 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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