Similarly, corporate behemoths such as Starbucks have patented everything from the paper sleeves that surround their cups to the shapeandcomposition of their chocolates.
Their staff devote a lot of time to photographing and uploading images and recording the color, shapeand clay composition details for every item that is made, including samples that are rejected by clients and sent back for minor revisions.
The functioning equipment on the probe includes a device to measure the asteroid's magnetism, a spectrometer to examine its composition, an electronic camera and a laser rangefinder to survey its precise shape.