Patents in space

A lot of patented technology has gone into space, but what about the inventors themselves? Two of the inventors featured on USPTO collectible cards have!

Charles “Pete” Conrad had a patent for a device that reduced the cost of satellite communication systems, and was also the first person to “dance” on the moon (and third to walk).

Ellen Ochoa has three patents for optical technologies that help us capture and analyze finely-detailed imagery, and she was the first Hispanic-American woman in space.

See if you can find them on our Inventor Collectible Trading Cards page – they’re the ones in spacesuits.

Visit the USPTO’s Office of Education page or email education@uspto.gov to learn more.