Space and Recovery 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 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.

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.

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.

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