An aerial payload delivery system uses a cruciform parachute canopy that is connected to base by plurality of suspension lines including an adjustable control line. A control system includes an actuator to selectively adjust the length of the control line. By adjusting the length of the control line, the parachute can be selectively set to glide or descend substantially vertically subject to wind. In an embodiment, the suspension lines also include a short line and a plurality of long lines. The parachute is set to glide by adjusting the control line to be about the same length as the short line and set to vertically descend by adjusting the length of the control line to differ from the short line.

An aerial payload delivery system uses a cruciform parachute canopy that is connected to base by plurality of suspension lines including an adjustable control line. A control system includes an actuator to selectively adjust the length of the control line. By adjusting the length of the control line, the parachute can be selectively set to glide or descend substantially vertically subject to wind. In an embodiment, the suspension lines also include a short line and a plurality of long lines. The parachute is set to glide by adjusting the control line to be about the same length as the short line and set to vertically descend by adjusting the length of the control line to differ from the short line.

A preferred break point is provided in the airframe, where there is a ballistic parachute system which includes a rocket which sits in a rocket canister and a canopy which sits in a canopy canister. The airframe includes a composite material and covers the ballistic parachute system. The preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister. A preferred break path is provided in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.

A redundant clustered parachute apparatus includes a harness and a plurality of lines operatively coupled to the harness. Each line has a length and a plurality of canopies coupled to and along the length. The plurality of canopies, across the plurality of lines, create an aggregated force of air resistance to slow a falling object in the harness. Loss of some of the canopies or some of the lines does not significantly affect the performance of the redundant clustered parachute apparatus to safely deliver the object to the ground.

A redundant clustered parachute apparatus includes a harness and a plurality of lines operatively coupled to the harness. Each line has a length and a plurality of canopies coupled to and along the length. The plurality of canopies, across the plurality of lines, create an aggregated force of air resistance to slow a falling object in the harness. Loss of some of the canopies or some of the lines does not significantly affect the performance of the redundant clustered parachute apparatus to safely deliver the object to the ground.

A coaxial double layer parachute includes an inner inflatable body and an outer canopy which are located along a central axis. Since the inner inflatable body is filled with helium to generate a first buoyance, the inner inflatable body can be obviously lifted to a certain height. When a payload connected to the inner inflatable body and the outer canopy with parachute cords falls, the ambient air flows will enter the inflation space through the annular air inlets to produce a second buoyance, which makes the outer canopy open completely. Hence, a secure descending task from even a very low height can be fulfilled if the coaxial double layer parachute can employed. Apparently, the coaxial double layer parachute can be mainly applied to fire and earthquake rescue actions in the cities when low height deployments, risk-free parachuting, and less complicated manual operation are required.

A coaxial double layer parachute includes an inner inflatable body and an outer canopy which are located along a central axis. Since the inner inflatable body is filled with helium to generate a first buoyance, the inner inflatable body can be obviously lifted to a certain height. When a payload connected to the inner inflatable body and the outer canopy with parachute cords falls, the ambient air flows will enter the inflation space through the annular air inlets to produce a second buoyance, which makes the outer canopy open completely. Hence, a secure descending task from even a very low height can be fulfilled if the coaxial double layer parachute can employed. Apparently, the coaxial double layer parachute can be mainly applied to fire and earthquake rescue actions in the cities when low height deployments, risk-free parachuting, and less complicated manual operation are required.