Space and Recovery Systems

Overview

Since the early days of the U.S. space program and the development of the recovery system for the Discovery XIII reentry capsule (the first man made item ever recovered from orbit), Airborne Systems has been at the forefront of Entry, Descent & Landing System (EDL) development for space and high altitude applications. Since the 1960’s, Airborne Systems has designed and developed EDL systems for a multitude of crewed and uncrewed space applications. Today, Airborne Systems is leading the way with the design and development of the EDL systems needed for America’s new fleet of human-rated spacecraft being developed to replace the Space Shuttle (Orion, CST-100, Dragon, New Shepard).

The Airborne Systems Space Systems business unit is dedicated to suppporting the emerging commercial space industry and is the world leader in the development of EDL systems for high altitude and space flight applications; both crewed and uncrewed, terrestrial and interplanetary.

Planetary Space EDL Systems

Airborne Systems has supported many planetary space programs over the years. We are currently supporting NASA JPL on Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), NASA Langley on the Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) program, and supported the MARS 2020 programs. We are also collaborating on concepts for various missions through the NASA New Frontiers, Discovery, and Venture programs.

Booster Recovery Systems

Booster recovery options may benefit the emerging commercial space marketplace. From suborbital sounding rockets to large launch vehicles such as Atlas and Vulcan, we are working with various launch vehicle providers on concepts for recovering their 1st stage boosters and/or engines to enable refurbishment and reuse.

The most recent operational example for parachute assisted booster recovery systems is the Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) program.

Payload Recovery Systems

From payload launched aboard rockets to high altitude balloon experiment gondalas to ISS down-mass missions, Airborne Systems ahs the experience and technology needed to develop a total turnkey recovery system for virtually any type of payload.

EDLS systems draw upon Airborne Systems IAD technology and employ Airborne Systems Ram Air parachutes, ballistic Drogue parachutes and our new Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) technology.

Capsule Recovery Systems

With the retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA and other commercial spacecraft providers have initiated the development of new spacecraft for human space flight activities. Airborne Systems is supporting virtually all of these programs with the design and development of the Entry, Descent & Landing systems for their spacecraft. While each of the systems are unique, they commonly employ a cluster of Ballistic Main Parachutes, Pilot Chutes, and Drogue Chutes that are designed, manufactured and flight qualified by Airborne Systems.

Fairing Recovery Systems

Recover more than just capsule and crew – first stages and fairings can all be reusable with Airborne Systems recovery systems. Ballistic or lifting, these canopies can provide an opportunity to reuse even more of the launch system. In the event of a water landing, Airborne provides flotation systems to enable easier recovery processes.