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.

An aerial delivery apparatus generally includes a platform and an adapter. The platform includes a panel extending laterally between and to a first side rail and a second side rail. The adapter is mounted to the platform and includes a plurality of anchor points whereby a parachute is configured to be attached to the platform. The adapter is configured to transfer parachute forces directly into the side rails of the platform. The adapter can be mounted to the side rails via a plurality of fittings that are mounted between the side rails and the adapter. The side rails can each define respective slots extending longitudinally along the respective side rail. The fitting can be configured to be received at least partially into the slot. Each fitting can include a first aperture defining a central axis extending laterally through the fitting whereby the fitting is secured to the side rail.

An aerial delivery apparatus generally includes a platform and an adapter. The platform includes a panel extending laterally between and to a first side rail and a second side rail. The adapter is mounted to the platform and includes a plurality of anchor points whereby a parachute is configured to be attached to the platform. The adapter is configured to transfer parachute forces directly into the side rails of the platform. The adapter can be mounted to the side rails via a plurality of fittings that are mounted between the side rails and the adapter. The side rails can each define respective slots extending longitudinally along the respective side rail. The fitting can be configured to be received at least partially into the slot. Each fitting can include a first aperture defining a central axis extending laterally through the fitting whereby the fitting is secured to the side rail.

An electronic drogue reefing release system includes a drogue parachute having a canopy, one or more reefing lines coupled to the canopy, one or more reefing line cutters coupled to the canopy, and one or more signal lines configured to deliver an electrical signal. The reefing lines are configured to restrict expansion of the canopy while in a first reefing state. The reefing line cutters are configured to place the at least one reefing line into a second reefing state in response to receiving the electrical signal so as to expand the canopy.

An electronic drogue reefing release system includes a drogue parachute having a canopy, one or more reefing lines coupled to the canopy, one or more reefing line cutters coupled to the canopy, and one or more signal lines configured to deliver an electrical signal. The reefing lines are configured to restrict expansion of the canopy while in a first reefing state. The reefing line cutters are configured to place the at least one reefing line into a second reefing state in response to receiving the electrical signal so as to expand the canopy.

A support brace for facilitating deployment of a parafoil at altitude and a related apparatus for delivering a payload to an altitude and returning the payload to Earth are provided. The support brace includes a first subsection component including (i) a connection bracket for releasably securing an inflatable balloon above the brace and (ii) an outer wall. The support brace includes a plurality of extension arms extending outwardly from the outer wall of the first subsection component, where each extension arm includes a respective distal end and angled portion, and where the angled portion of each extension arm is angled downward and away from the first subsection component. The support brace includes a parafoil support arm connecting the plurality of distal ends of the plurality of extension arms. Advantageously, the support brace ensures rapid, symmetric inflation of a parafoil and prevents tangling of the parafoil's lines.

A support brace for facilitating deployment of a parafoil at altitude and a related apparatus for delivering a payload to an altitude and returning the payload to Earth are provided. The support brace includes a first subsection component including (i) a connection bracket for releasably securing an inflatable balloon above the brace and (ii) an outer wall. The support brace includes a plurality of extension arms extending outwardly from the outer wall of the first subsection component, where each extension arm includes a respective distal end and angled portion, and where the angled portion of each extension arm is angled downward and away from the first subsection component. The support brace includes a parafoil support arm connecting the plurality of distal ends of the plurality of extension arms. Advantageously, the support brace ensures rapid, symmetric inflation of a parafoil and prevents tangling of the parafoil's lines.