A parachute vent reefing system is disclosed. The parachute vent reefing system includes a plurality of attachment members disposed about a vent portion of a parachute canopy and a keeper routed between each attachment member of said plurality of attachment members. The keeper has a diameter less than the diameter of the vent portion and is configured to break at a preselected tensile threshold.

A decelerator for decelerating an attached payload includes a first canopy, a second canopy, and an internal structure for redirecting air entering the decelerator out of the decelerator and in a contraflow direction, which is cognate to the direction of travel. The first canopy defines an interior volume and includes a first opening for receiving a flow of air into the interior volume and a second opening for permitting received air to travel out of the interior volume. The second canopy is then positioned over the second opening, and the internal structure extends at least partially through the interior volume and interconnects the first canopy and the second canopy. Air within the internal structure is directed out of the decelerator in the contraflow direction. The internal structure can be constructed of a plurality of venturi tubes to increase the velocity at which air is emitted from the decelerator.

Disclosed herein are parachute canopies and sliders for use with parachutes. The parachute canopies can include one or more deformable vent panels that can be used to control an inflation rate of the canopies based on an internal pressure within the canopies. The sliders can include strips that form through holes that have a width that distributes a radial load on suspension lines and allow for the use of lower weight, high modulus suspension lines.

Disclosed herein are parachute canopies and sliders for use with parachutes. The parachute canopies can include one or more deformable vent panels that can be used to control an inflation rate of the canopies based on an internal pressure within the canopies. The sliders can include strips that form through holes that have a width that distributes a radial load on suspension lines and allow for the use of lower weight, high modulus suspension lines.

A balloon system, preferably including a balloon and a payload. A balloon, preferably including a plurality of gores, a plurality of load members, and an apex fitting. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including deflating a balloon, and optionally including operating the balloon system in flight and/or landing the balloon system.

A balloon system, preferably including a balloon and a payload. A balloon, preferably including a plurality of gores, a plurality of load members, and an apex fitting. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including deflating a balloon, and optionally including operating the balloon system in flight and/or landing the balloon system.

A container for aerial delivery of a payload is disclosed. The container is comprised of a fixed box, a lid adapted to close the fixed box, and a sleeve surrounding the fixed box. The sleeve is movable between a first, collapsed position and a second, extended position.

A container for aerial delivery of a payload is disclosed. The container is comprised of a fixed box, a lid adapted to close the fixed box, and a sleeve surrounding the fixed box. The sleeve is movable between a first, collapsed position and a second, extended position.

The present disclosure provides a parachute comprising a fabric-based canopy and a crown area air inlet formed in the fabric-based canopy. The crown area air inlet may be aligned with areas of highest external pressure acting on an external surface of the canopy as the parachute inflates in order to increase a rate of inflation of the parachute.

The present disclosure provides a parachute comprising a fabric-based canopy and a crown area air inlet formed in the fabric-based canopy. The crown area air inlet may be aligned with areas of highest external pressure acting on an external surface of the canopy as the parachute inflates in order to increase a rate of inflation of the parachute.