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Strategic Infrastructure

Satellites & Orbital Systems

Satellites and orbital systems covers spacecraft on orbit, including communications, Earth observation, navigation and scientific satellites, constellations, hosted payloads and space station modules. One of the capabilities of Space, Aerospace & Defence Infrastructure.

International families
9,6742015 to 2024
Leading country
United States1.4× the next
All families
38khome filings included
Over five years
Rising2020 to 2024 against the five before

Year by year

Patent families by country of origin and the year of the earliest filing, 2000 to 2025; 2025 is a part year, still filling in. International families are those for which protection was sought beyond one country.

Volume

International patent families in the capability, by the year of the earliest filing.

Source: Global Institute for National Capability (GINC), 2026. Underlying patents from 107 patent offices, IFI CLAIMS and Google

Share by country

Each country's share of the year's international families, in per cent: the capability's five largest countries of origin, 2015 to 2024, and the rest of the world.

Source: Global Institute for National Capability (GINC), 2026. Underlying patents from 107 patent offices, IFI CLAIMS and Google

Country leaderboard

International patent families, 2015 to 2024, by country of origin. Growth compares the latest five full years with the five before.

Ten largest

United States

China

Japan

France

South Korea

Germany

Sweden

Finland

United Kingdom

Canada

3,071

2,252

925

693

509

449

274

274

237

111

2000 to 2025
1United States3,07131.7%1.3×
5,315
2China2,25223.3%3.4×
24,790
3Japan9259.6%1.7×
1,502
4France6937.2%0.9×
807
5South Korea5095.3%3.4×
1,483
6Germany4494.6%1.1×
559
7Sweden2742.8%1.5×
283
8Finland2742.8%5.5×
286
9United Kingdom2372.4%0.9×
305
10Canada1111.1%1.7×
155
11Taiwan931.0%3.2×
120
12Singapore840.9%6.6×
89
13Italy770.8%1.0×
111
14Israel750.8%0.7×
87
15Türkiye620.6%7.9×
83
16India510.5%1.4×
67
17Spain470.5%1.6×
57
18Switzerland460.5%1.7×
49
19Russia410.4%0.4×
1,010
20Austria380.4%0.8×
41
21Belgium340.4%0.7×
38
22Netherlands330.3%1.8×
40
23Australia320.3%0.9×
46
24Luxembourg150.2%0.7×
17
25Ireland130.1%0.4×
16
26Denmark110.1%0.8×
11
27Hong Kong110.1%1.8×
17
28Brazil80.1%3.0×
20
29New Zealand80.1%3.0×
8
30Poland70.1%–
29
31Mexico70.1%1.3×
18
32South Africa50.1%4.0×
7
33Saudi Arabia40.0%0.3×
9
34Portugal40.0%3.0×
5
35Norway30.0%2.0×
4
36Hungary30.0%0.5×
8
37Liechtenstein20.0%–
2
38Czechia00.0%–
3
39Malaysia00.0%–
1

Applicants

The largest applicants by international patent families, 2015 to 2024: across the world, then within each of the five countries with the most families in Satellites & Orbital Systems. Names are as held in the source and are not consolidated across subsidiaries.

Global

9,674 international families

HUAWEI TECH CO LTD · China

QUALCOMM INC · United States

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS LLC · United States

ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M · Sweden

BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD · China

NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY · Finland

736

384

317

235

231

228

United States

3,071 international families

QUALCOMM INC

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS LLC

BOEING CO

APPLE INC

VIASAT INC

HONEYWELL INT INC

368

317

210

110

105

102

China

2,252 international families

HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

ZTE CORP

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

OPPO GUANGDONG MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO LTD

Datang mobile communications equipment co ltd

732

231

141

104

92

88

Japan

925 international families

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

SONY GROUP CORP

SOFTBANK CORP

NEC CORP

SONY CORP

NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE

179

94

73

67

65

62

France

693 international families

THALES SA

AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS

ARIANEGROUP SAS

CENTRE NAT ETD SPATIALES

AIRBUS SAFRAN LAUNCHERS SAS

CENTRE NAT RECH SCIENT

190

138

85

48

28

23

South Korea

509 international families

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

LG ELECTRONICS INC

KOREA AEROSPACE RES INST

ELECTRONICS & TELECOMMUNICATIONS RES INST

HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

KIA CORP

180

72

43

33

24

23

Similar capabilities

The nine capabilities that share the most international patent families with Satellites & Orbital Systems, 2015 to 2024: the families counted in both as a share of those counted in either. Each card shows its five largest countries.

Critical Technology

Satellite & Constellation Technologies

93.1% shared · 9,200 families in both

United States

China

Japan

France

South Korea

2,984

2,248

933

651

508

National Security

Space Support to Operations

78.0% shared · 7,633 families in both

United States

China

Japan

South Korea

France

2,402

2,136

706

480

437

Strategic Infrastructure

Ground Segment & Tracking

14.9% shared · 1,555 families in both

United States

China

Japan

South Korea

France

738

578

300

153

115

Critical Technology

Advanced Propulsion & Hypersonic Systems

8.2% shared · 872 families in both

United States

France

Germany

Japan

China

732

229

172

130

104

Strategic Infrastructure

Air Navigation & Traffic Management

7.2% shared · 1,140 families in both

United States

Japan

China

France

Germany

2,940

1,014

815

738

380

Critical Technology

Space Launch & Reusable Systems

5.8% shared · 589 families in both

United States

France

Germany

Japan

China

369

176

121

104

78

Strategic Infrastructure

Subsea Cables & International Gateways

4.9% shared · 511 families in both

United States

China

United Kingdom

France

Japan

335

189

129

117

83

National Security

Assured Space Access

4.7% shared · 483 families in both

United States

France

Germany

Japan

China

348

166

106

80

69

National Security

Space Domain Awareness & Control

4.0% shared · 390 families in both

Japan

United States

France

Germany

China

145

123

41

26

21

Crosswalk

How Satellites & Orbital Systems is matched to the patent classifications. The entries below were chosen for it; each stands for itself and everything beneath it in the scheme, 165 Cooperative entries in all. A patent family counts when any of its codes, in either scheme and at any office, falls under one of them. Codes since retired are placed under the entries that replaced them.

EntryTitle in the schemeWhy it is chosenCPC codesIPC codesDocuments
B64G1/00Cosmonautic vehiclesSpacecraft, satellites and their equipment12728154,789
H04B7/185Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systemsSatellite communication systems and stations424111,685
B64G1/002Launch systemsLeft out
H04B7/18502Airborne stationsLeft out
H04B7/18517Transmission equipment in earth stationsLeft out
H04B7/18519Operations control, administration or maintenanceLeft out

CPC and IPC codes are the codes in use on patent documents, at any office, that fall under the entry. Documents is the larger of the two schemes' counts of documents carrying one of them. An entry with no IPC codes can be told apart only in the Cooperative scheme.

The Cooperative codes in use that count towards Satellites & Orbital Systems: 169 codes on 266,474 documents. The 150 most used are listed; the full list is in the cpc-to-capability.csv download.

CodeTitleUnder entryHow placedDocuments
H04B7/18513Transmission in a satellite or space-based systemH04B7/185In the scheme25,290
H04B7/1851Systems using a satellite or space-based relayH04B7/185In the scheme10,505
H04B7/185Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systemsH04B7/185In the scheme8,364
H04B7/18515Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relaysH04B7/185In the scheme7,993
B64G1/66Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided forB64G1/00In the scheme6,838
B64G1/244Spacecraft control systemsB64G1/00In the scheme6,560
B64G1/10Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehiclesB64G1/00In the scheme5,423
H04B7/18521Systems of inter linked satellites, i.e. inter satellite serviceH04B7/185In the scheme4,738
B64G1/22Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehiclesB64G1/00In the scheme4,384
B64G1/443Photovoltaic cell arraysB64G1/00In the scheme4,302
B64G1/242Orbits and trajectoriesB64G1/00In the scheme4,216
H04B7/18539Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connectionH04B7/185In the scheme4,010
H04B7/18541Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection for handover of resourcesH04B7/185In the scheme3,963
B64G1/402Propellant tanks; Feeding propellantsB64G1/00In the scheme3,731
B64G1/58Thermal protection, e.g. heat shieldsB64G1/00In the scheme3,540
H04B7/18563Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systemsH04B7/185In the scheme3,402
B64G1/44Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems using radiation, e.g. deployable solar arraysB64G1/00In the scheme3,201
B64G1/1085Swarms and constellationsB64G1/00In the scheme3,160
B64G1/26Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using jetsB64G1/00In the scheme3,097
H04B7/18582Arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for error recovery, for multiple accessH04B7/185In the scheme3,050
B64G1/641Interstage or payload connectorsB64G1/00In the scheme3,036
H04B7/18523Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite serviceH04B7/185In the scheme2,983
H04B7/18584Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion controlH04B7/185In the scheme2,824
B64G1/50Arrangements or adaptations of devices for control of environment or living conditions for temperature controlB64G1/00In the scheme2,704
H04B7/195Non-synchronous stationsH04B7/185In the scheme2,695
H04B7/18543Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection for adaptation of transmission parameters, e.g. power controlH04B7/185In the scheme2,656
B64G1/40Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systemsB64G1/00In the scheme2,615
B64G1/36Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensorsB64G1/00In the scheme2,613
B64G1/401Liquid propellant rocket enginesB64G1/00In the scheme2,442
H04B7/18532Arrangements for managing transmission, i.e. for transporting data or a signalling messageH04B7/185In the scheme2,411
B64G1/245Attitude control algorithms for spacecraft attitude controlB64G1/00In the scheme2,404
B64G1/645SeparatorsB64G1/00In the scheme2,312
B64G1/64Systems for coupling or separating cosmonautic vehicles or parts thereof, e.g. docking arrangementsB64G1/00In the scheme2,292
B64G1/222Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed stateB64G1/00In the scheme2,275
B64G1/1007Communications satellitesB64G1/00In the scheme2,247
B64G1/24Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude controlB64G1/00In the scheme2,236
B64G1/1021Earth observation satellitesB64G1/00In the scheme2,205
B64G1/283Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using inertia or gyro effect using reaction wheelsB64G1/00In the scheme2,125
B64G1/503Radiator panelsB64G1/00In the scheme2,120
B64G1/413Ion or plasma enginesB64G1/00In the scheme2,106
H04B7/1853Satellite systems for providing telephony service to a mobile station, i.e. mobile satellite serviceH04B7/185In the scheme2,076
B64G1/2427Transfer orbitsB64G1/00In the scheme2,039
B64G1/428Power distribution and managementB64G1/00In the scheme2,014
B64G1/62Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devicesB64G1/00In the scheme1,868
B64G1/2229Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the deployment actuating mechanismB64G1/00In the scheme1,809
H04B7/18528Satellite systems for providing two-way communications service to a network of fixed stations, i.e. fixed satellite service or very small aperture terminal [VSAT] systemH04B7/185In the scheme1,693
H04B7/18578Satellite systems for providing broadband data service to individual earth stationsH04B7/185In the scheme1,637
B64G1/6462Docking or rendezvous systems characterised by the means for engaging other vehiclesB64G1/00In the scheme1,592
B64G1/646Docking or rendezvous systemsB64G1/00In the scheme1,589
H04B7/19Earth-synchronous stationsH04B7/185In the scheme1,560
B64G1/285Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using inertia or gyro effect using momentum wheelsB64G1/00In the scheme1,555
H04B7/18534Arrangements for managing transmission, i.e. for transporting data or a signalling message for enhancing link reliablility, e.g. satellites diversityH04B7/185In the scheme1,532
B64G1/14Space shuttlesB64G1/00In the scheme1,507
B64G1/2222FoldingB64G1/00In the scheme1,475
H04B7/18558Arrangements for managing communications, i.e. for setting up, maintaining or releasing a call between stationsH04B7/185In the scheme1,454
H04B7/1858Arrangements for data transmission on the physical system, i.e. for data bit transmission between network componentsH04B7/185In the scheme1,432
B64G1/361Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using star sensorsB64G1/00In the scheme1,420
B64G1/4021Tank construction; Details thereofB64G1/00In the scheme1,414
H04B7/1855Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation for geolocalisation of a station using a telephonic control signal, e.g. propagation delay variation, Doppler frequency variation, power variation, beam identificationH04B7/185In the scheme1,405
H04B7/18567Arrangements for providing additional services to the basic mobile satellite telephony serviceH04B7/185In the scheme1,380
B64G1/286Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using inertia or gyro effect using control momentum gyroscopes (CMGs)B64G1/00In the scheme1,347
H04B7/18545Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisationH04B7/185In the scheme1,341
B64G1/2224Folding about multiple axesB64G1/00In the scheme1,332
B64G1/2228Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state characterised by the hold-down or release mechanismsB64G1/00In the scheme1,275
B64G1/223Modular spacecraft systemsB64G1/00In the scheme1,265
B64G1/32Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using earth's magnetic fieldB64G1/00In the scheme1,218
H04B7/18547Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation for geolocalisation of a stationH04B7/185In the scheme1,207
B64G1/363Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using sun sensorsB64G1/00In the scheme1,206
B64G1/643Interstage or payload connectors for arranging multiple satellites in a single launcherB64G1/00In the scheme1,187
B64G1/28Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using inertia or gyro effectB64G1/00In the scheme1,144
B64G1/369Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using gyroscopes as attitude sensorsB64G1/00In the scheme1,116
H04B7/18526Arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end sessionH04B7/185In the scheme1,116
B64G1/506Heat pipesB64G1/00In the scheme1,090
B64G1/6455Pyrotechnics; Using heatB64G1/00In the scheme1,088
B64G1/52Protection, safety or emergency devices; Survival aidsB64G1/00In the scheme1,063
B64G1/365Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using horizon or Earth sensorsB64G1/00In the scheme1,052
B64G1/409Unconventional spacecraft propulsion systemsB64G1/00In the scheme1,042
B64G1/16Extraterrestrial carsB64G1/00In the scheme1,030
B64G1/1078Maintenance satellitesB64G1/00In the scheme976
B64G1/1028Earth observation satellites using optical means for mapping, surveying or detection, e.g. of intelligenceB64G1/00In the scheme969
B64G1/6457Springs; Shape memory actuatorsB64G1/00In the scheme966
B64G1/2429Station keepingB64G1/00In the scheme954
B64G1/2227InflatingB64G1/00In the scheme930
B64G1/411Electric propulsionB64G1/00In the scheme916
B64G1/54Protection against radiationB64G1/00In the scheme897
H04B7/18589Arrangements for controlling an end to end session, i.e. for initialising, synchronising or terminating an end to end linkH04B7/185In the scheme891
B64G1/60Crew or passenger accommodationsB64G1/00In the scheme887
H04B7/18571Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction operations control, administration, maintenance for satellites; for fixed or mobile stationsH04B7/185In the scheme871
B64G1/226Special coatings for spacecraftB64G1/00In the scheme869
B64G1/2225Rolling or unfurlingB64G1/00In the scheme867
H04B7/18586Arrangements for data transporting, e.g. for an end to end data transport or checkH04B7/185In the scheme853
B64G1/425Power storageB64G1/00In the scheme846
B64G1/623Retarding devices, e.g. retrorocketsB64G1/00In the scheme800
B64G1/407Solar sailingB64G1/00In the scheme790
B64G1/648TethersB64G1/00In the scheme781
B64G1/12Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles mannedB64G1/00In the scheme760
B64G1/403Solid propellant rocket enginesB64G1/00In the scheme755
B64G1/415Arcjets or resistojetsB64G1/00In the scheme750
B64G1/105Space scienceB64G1/00In the scheme748
B64G1/1081Maintenance satellites for debris removalB64G1/00In the scheme740
H04B7/1856Arrangements for managing communications, i.e. for setting up, maintaining or releasing a call between stations for call routingH04B7/185In the scheme725
B64G1/00Cosmonautic vehiclesB64G1/00In the scheme724
B64G1/281Spin-stabilised spacecraftB64G1/00In the scheme708
H04B7/18597Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction, operations control, administration, maintenanceH04B7/185In the scheme699
H04B7/18565Arrangements for preventing unauthorised access or for providing user protectionH04B7/185In the scheme682
B64G1/642Clamps, e.g. Marman clampsB64G1/00In the scheme679
H04B7/18593Arrangements for preventing unauthorised access or for providing user protectionH04B7/185In the scheme671
B64G1/38Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control damping of oscillations, e.g. nutation dampersB64G1/00In the scheme645
B64G1/2425Geosynchronous orbitsB64G1/00In the scheme627
B64G1/4024Propellant tanks; Feeding propellants refuelling in spaceB64G1/00In the scheme627
B64G1/228Damping of high-frequency vibration effects on spacecraft elements, e.g. by using acoustic vibration dampersB64G1/00In the scheme586
B64G1/56Protection against meteoroids or space debrisB64G1/00In the scheme586
B64G1/247Advanced control concepts for autonomous, robotic spacecraft, e.g. by using artificial intelligence, neural networks or autonomous agentsB64G1/00In the scheme582
B64G1/366Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using magnetometersB64G1/00In the scheme582
B64G1/42Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systemsB64G1/00In the scheme569
B64G1/6425Interstage or payload connectors arrangements for damping vibrationsB64G1/00In the scheme540
B64G1/405Retired codeB64G1/00Retired, by main group521
H04B7/18554Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation for geolocalisation of a station using the position provided by an existing geolocalisation systemH04B7/185In the scheme484
B64G1/408Nuclear spacecraft propulsionB64G1/00In the scheme470
H04B7/18576Satellite systems for providing narrowband data service to fixed or mobile stations, e.g. using a minisatellite, a microsatelliteH04B7/185In the scheme463
H04B7/18595Arrangements for adapting broadband applications to satellite systemsH04B7/185In the scheme462
B64G1/625Landing devices; UndercarriagesB64G1/00In the scheme459
H04B7/18591Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systemsH04B7/185In the scheme457
B64G1/6464Docking probes and receiversB64G1/00In the scheme454
B64G1/262Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using jets having adjustable angles, e.g. gimbaled thrustersB64G1/00In the scheme447
B64G1/417Electromagnetic fields or flux without mass expulsionB64G1/00In the scheme443
H04B7/18573Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction operations control, administration, maintenance for operations control, administration or maintenanceH04B7/185In the scheme441
B64G1/68Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for of meteoroid or space debris detectorsB64G1/00In the scheme409
B64G1/1071Planetary landers intended for the exploration of the surface of planets, moons or cometsB64G1/00In the scheme408
B64G1/546Protection against radiation shielding electronic equipmentB64G1/00In the scheme401
B64G1/4022Arrangements of tanks in or on spacecraftB64G1/00In the scheme396
B64G1/1035Earth observation satellites using radar for mapping, surveying or detection, e.g. of intelligenceB64G1/00In the scheme387
H04B7/18552Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation for geolocalisation of a station using a telephonic control signal, e.g. propagation delay variation, Doppler frequency variation, power variation, beam identification using a telephonic control signal and a second ranging satelliteH04B7/185In the scheme371
B64G1/34Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using gravity gradientB64G1/00In the scheme369
H04B7/18556Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation using a location databaseH04B7/185In the scheme365
B64G1/644Interstage or payload connectors for arranging multiple satellites in a single launcher arranged for independent deploymentB64G1/00In the scheme358
B64G1/1064Space science specifically adapted for interplanetary, solar or interstellar explorationB64G1/00In the scheme341
B64G1/46Arrangements or adaptations of devices for control of environment or living conditionsB64G1/00In the scheme341
B64G1/422Nuclear power generationB64G1/00In the scheme328
B64G1/2226TelescopingB64G1/00In the scheme326
H04B7/18536Shadowing compensation therefor, e.g. by using an additional terrestrial relayH04B7/185In the scheme321
B64G1/4282Power distribution and management for transmitting power to earth or other spacecraftB64G1/00In the scheme296
B64G1/48Arrangements or adaptations of devices for control of environment or living conditions for treatment of the atmosphereB64G1/00In the scheme295
B64G1/446Thermal solar power generationB64G1/00In the scheme294
B64G1/404Hybrid rocket enginesB64G1/00In the scheme278
B64G1/6459Fluid-actuatedB64G1/00In the scheme271
B64G1/421Non-solar power generationB64G1/00In the scheme259
B64G1/1014Navigation satellitesB64G1/00In the scheme257
B64G1/264Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using jets having adjustable angles, e.g. gimbaled thrusters mounted on adjustable booms or the likeB64G1/00In the scheme250
B64G1/4005Air-breathing propulsionB64G1/00In the scheme223
Match: Direct
The capability is itself a technology or a kind of physical system, and the classification names it. In IPC, H04B7/185 cannot be split between space and ground stations or from airborne relays. The crosswalk is a first pass that nobody has reviewed.

Other capabilities in Space, Aerospace & Defence Infrastructure