[iwwr]

There's a whole batch of patents related to space trajectories. Edward Belbruno also holds a few patents on low-energy transfers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Belbruno

Belbruno has been an innovative researcher otherwise, but it's hardly an excuse to monopolize math theorems or their computational applications.

[AlexandrB]

The patent system as it exists encourages this kind of behaviour. It's hardly surprising that people would take advantage of it. If he didn't do it, someone else would and a patent case to prove prior art gets expensive.