A parachute assembly for decelerating an occupant of an ejection seat may comprise a left shoulder riser configured to be located over a left shoulder of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly. A right shoulder riser may be configured to be located over a right shoulder of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly. A head restraint, configured to be behind a head of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly, may be located between the left and right shoulder risers.

A parachute assembly for decelerating an occupant of an ejection seat may comprise a left shoulder riser configured to be located over a left shoulder of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly. A right shoulder riser may be configured to be located over a right shoulder of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly. A head restraint, configured to be behind a head of the occupant upon deployment of the parachute assembly, may be located between the left and right shoulder risers.

A parachute assembly for an ejection seat may comprise a canopy and a first suspension line coupled to the canopy. A first riser may be coupled to the first suspension line. A seat cushion may be coupled to the first riser. The seat cushion may be configured detach from the ejection seat and restrict rearward translation of a head of an occupant of the ejection seat upon deployment of the parachute assembly.

A parachute assembly for an ejection seat may comprise a canopy and a first suspension line coupled to the canopy. A first riser may be coupled to the first suspension line. A seat cushion may be coupled to the first riser. The seat cushion may be configured detach from the ejection seat and restrict rearward translation of a head of an occupant of the ejection seat upon deployment of the parachute assembly.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle

A vehicle recovery system includes a harness having a hub and a plurality of cords each including opposite first and second ends. The first ends are each coupled to the hub. The second ends are each configured to be connected to a fuselage of a vehicle. A tractor rocket includes a body and a bridle. The bridle includes a first end coupled to the body and an opposite second end. A parachute includes a riser, a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines. The suspension lines each include a first end coupled the canopy and an opposite second end coupled a first end of the riser. An opposite second end of the riser is coupled to the hub. The second end of the bridle is coupled to the first end of the riser.

A vehicle recovery system includes a harness having a hub and a plurality of cords each including opposite first and second ends. The first ends are each coupled to the hub. The second ends are each configured to be connected to a fuselage of a vehicle. A tractor rocket includes a body and a bridle. The bridle includes a first end coupled to the body and an opposite second end. A parachute includes a riser, a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines. The suspension lines each include a first end coupled the canopy and an opposite second end coupled a first end of the riser. An opposite second end of the riser is coupled to the hub. The second end of the bridle is coupled to the first end of the riser.