A parachute assembly having inflation controlling characteristics can include a primary parachute, primary parachute suspension lines coupled to the primary parachute and extending downward therefrom toward a load, and a reefing system. The reefing system can include a slider canopy configured to control opening of the primary parachute. A plurality of slider suspension lines extend from the slider canopy whereby the slider canopy is slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines. Each slider suspension line can be slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines by a slider ring. Each slider ring can be configured to receive a plurality of primary suspension lines that converge together at a convergence point. In this manner, the slider ring can slide down the primary suspension lines, over the convergence point, and below the bottom ends of the primary suspension lines.

A midair dispenser can include a motor mounted to a housing, and a lead screw disposed at least partially within the housing. The midair dispenser further includes a lead nut threadingly coupled to the lead screw, and a support fixed with respect to the housing and extending along the lead screw. The support stops the lead nut from rotating together with the lead screw. The motor is configured to rotate the lead screw with respect to the support to cause the lead nut to translate along the lead screw to release an item from the midair dispenser. The motor can selectively release the item(s) (e.g., sequentially and/or simultaneously) from the midair dispenser while suspended in the air.

A midair dispenser can include a motor mounted to a housing, and a lead screw disposed at least partially within the housing. The midair dispenser further includes a lead nut threadingly coupled to the lead screw, and a support fixed with respect to the housing and extending along the lead screw. The support stops the lead nut from rotating together with the lead screw. The motor is configured to rotate the lead screw with respect to the support to cause the lead nut to translate along the lead screw to release an item from the midair dispenser. The motor can selectively release the item(s) (e.g., sequentially and/or simultaneously) from the midair dispenser while suspended in the air.

Drogue parachute systems include an ejection seat, an elastic riser operably connected to the ejection seat at a first end and a riser connection is arranged at a second end of the elastic riser, a set of suspension lines operably connected to the riser connection, and a drogue canopy attached to the set of suspension lines opposite the riser connection.

Drogue parachute systems include an ejection seat, an elastic riser operably connected to the ejection seat at a first end and a riser connection is arranged at a second end of the elastic riser, a set of suspension lines operably connected to the riser connection, and a drogue canopy attached to the set of suspension lines opposite the riser connection.

A stabilizing parachute system with entanglement prevention capabilities for safely deploying a load from a high-altitude craft. The system includes an expandable container component coupled to the load, a strap coupled to the expandable container component, and a stabilizing parachute disposed within the expandable container component and coupled to the strap. The system further includes an actuation component coupled to the stabilizing parachute, configured to deploy the stabilizing parachute from the expandable container component upon actuation. Upon deployment, the stabilizing parachute is configured to apply tension to the strap that is transferred to the expandable container component. Upon receiving tension from the strap, the expandable container component is configured to expand into a rigid support component configured to surround the strap.

A stabilizing parachute system with entanglement prevention capabilities for safely deploying a load from a high-altitude craft. The system includes an expandable container component coupled to the load, a strap coupled to the expandable container component, and a stabilizing parachute disposed within the expandable container component and coupled to the strap. The system further includes an actuation component coupled to the stabilizing parachute, configured to deploy the stabilizing parachute from the expandable container component upon actuation. Upon deployment, the stabilizing parachute is configured to apply tension to the strap that is transferred to the expandable container component. Upon receiving tension from the strap, the expandable container component is configured to expand into a rigid support component configured to surround the strap.

A parachute assembly having inflation controlling characteristics can include a primary parachute, primary parachute suspension lines coupled to the primary parachute and extending downward therefrom toward a load, and a reefing system. The reefing system can include a slider canopy configured to control opening of the primary parachute. The slider canopy is slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines. The slider canopy can be slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines by a slider ring. The slider ring can be configured to receive a plurality of primary suspension lines that converge together at a convergence point. In this manner, the slider ring can slide down the primary suspension lines, over the convergence point, and below the bottom ends of the primary suspension lines.

A parachute assembly having inflation controlling characteristics can include a primary parachute, primary parachute suspension lines coupled to the primary parachute and extending downward therefrom toward a load, and a reefing system. The reefing system can include a slider canopy configured to control opening of the primary parachute. The slider canopy is slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines. The slider canopy can be slidingly coupled to the primary suspension lines by a slider ring. The slider ring can be configured to receive a plurality of primary suspension lines that converge together at a convergence point. In this manner, the slider ring can slide down the primary suspension lines, over the convergence point, and below the bottom ends of the primary suspension lines.

Parachute systems and harness assemblies for parachute systems include a harness having a shoulder portion, a front portion, a back portion, and a leg portion, a fitting strap attached to the shoulder portion, with a gap defined between the fitting strap and the shoulder portion, and a riser attachment is movably attached between the shoulder portion and the fitting strap, the riser attachment free to move from a first position on a front of the harness to a second position aft of the first position along a path defined by the gap.