Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators

Airborne Systems is at the forefront, as a partner with NASA, in the development of inflatable aerodynamic decelerator systems for supersonic and hypersonic applications including high mass aerocapture and atmospheric re-entry missions for Earth and Mars spacecrafts.

HIADs provide an inflatable heat shield for re-entry of spacecraft to Earth and Mars. They consist of an inflatable structure and an attached flexible thermal blanket that are tightly packed for launch and them inflated in space prior to the re-entry of the spacecraft.

A 6-meter diameter HIAD was developed and successfully tested in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) at NASA Ames Research Center under relevant aerodynamic conditions. NASA also sponsored the development of a large-scale, high-temperature Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators (HIAD) up to 12 meters in diameter.

Airborne Systems developed an 8-meter diameter ram-air isotensoid device for supersonic deceleration as a part of the NASA JPL Low Density Supersonic Decelerator program. This device was a prototype of a future Mars descent decelerator and was successfully tested at high velocity at the China Lake Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Track.

Our experience includes the NASA Orion landing airbags, helicopter crash attenuation airbag systems, airbags for recovery of UAVs, and airbags for soft landing of aerial dropped cargo. Our systems include rapid inflation systems if required and active or passive venting, and we have analysis capability to simulate bag inflation and dynamic interactions during impact.

The Pneumatic Muscle Actuator (PMA) is designed to decrease in length and increase in diameter when inflated. Retraction strokes of 20% to 35% of the deflated length are achievable based on materials, braid configurations, and pressure. The PMA is currently being qualified for use as a helmet restraint system for military aircraft use. Our PMA design has also been utilized in two Natick Soldier Systems Center cargo airdrop demonstrations.

We have been at the forefront of inflatable wing development for over a decade, starting with the Gun Launched Observation vehicle with an inflatable wing to a prototype of a military glider application with a 28 ft inflatable wing. The benefit of an inflatable wing is that it can be folded into a small volume for transport and then be inflated to full span for use.

Inflatables experience extends to flotation systems, enabling easier in-water recovery of any payload. Airborne currently provides flotation systems for launch system fairings, as well as floats for flight termination systems and heavier payloads. Airborne can provide both cold gas and hot gas solutions to recovery your payload from the water, providing custom built geometries and inflation parameters that allow recovery initiation at any stage of the mission.