A system is disclosed that includes an interface which receives sensor information associated with a vehicle, a severing tool, a parachute load limiting device state controller, and a reefing device. The controller determines, based at least in part on the sensor information, whether to instruct the severing tool to release a reefing device prior to parachute deployment. If it is determined to instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the severing tool is so instructed. If it is determined to not instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the reefing device is configured to be situated around a parachute canopy to constrain the parachute canopy during an initial state and slide down the parachute canopy to a position below the parachute canopy to constrain one or more parachute tethers.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for operating a gliding parachute/kite. The gliding parachute/kite has a wing with a flexible material, and a set of suspension lines adapted for coupling a load to the wing, such that the coupling is configurable in any one of a plurality of possible states based on relative lengths of the suspension lines. In some implementations, the possible states include a first state enabling gliding in a first direction, and a second state enabling gliding in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Reversing direction is possible with the first and second states. Additionally, or alternatively, the possible states include a spinning state enabling spinning of the gliding parachute/kite. Adjusting a rate of decent is possible with the spinning. Reversing direction and/or spinning operations can be used to improve control of trajectory.

Systems, devices, and methods including: a latching mechanism comprising: a first latch configured to attach to a door of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); a second latch configured to attach to a portion of the UAV distal from the first latch; a string connected between the first and second latch, where the string secures the door shut; at least two radio modules in communication with a ground control station; and at least two burn wires in contact with a portion of the string between the first latch and the second latch; where current from a backup battery passes to at least one burn wire when the burn signal is received, where the burn wire causes the connection between the first latch and the second latch to be broken and the door of the UAV is separated from the UAV.

An Intermediate Load Attachment Platform (ILAP) for attaching a cargo load to at least one main parachute, the ILAP protects a release mechanism disposed at least partially therein, the release mechanism is coupled to a drogue mechanism, such that the drogue is released from the ILAP when the release mechanism is opened, thus beginning deployment of the main canopy.

An Intermediate Load Attachment Platform (ILAP) for attaching a cargo load to at least one main parachute, the ILAP protects a release mechanism disposed at least partially therein, the release mechanism is coupled to a drogue mechanism, such that the drogue is released from the ILAP when the release mechanism is opened, thus beginning deployment of the main canopy.

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.

In an example, a system is described. The system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a UAV control system to control flight of the UAV. The system also comprises a steerable parachute system for parachute-assisted landing. The steerable parachute system comprises (i) a deployable parachute having steerable parachute cables, (ii) steering actuators, each steering actuator coupled to, and movable to adjust, a respective steerable parachute cable, (iii) a steerable parachute controller, and (iv) one or more parachute system sensors communicatively coupled to the steerable parachute controller and configured to detect physical characteristics of a reachable landing zone for the UAV. The steerable parachute controller is configured to (i) select a safe landing location within the reachable landing zone based on the physical characteristics and (ii) control movement of the steering actuators to steer the parachute to land the UAV at the safe landing location.

In an example, a system is described. The system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a UAV control system to control flight of the UAV. The system also comprises a steerable parachute system for parachute-assisted landing. The steerable parachute system comprises (i) a deployable parachute having steerable parachute cables, (ii) steering actuators, each steering actuator coupled to, and movable to adjust, a respective steerable parachute cable, (iii) a steerable parachute controller, and (iv) one or more parachute system sensors communicatively coupled to the steerable parachute controller and configured to detect physical characteristics of a reachable landing zone for the UAV. The steerable parachute controller is configured to (i) select a safe landing location within the reachable landing zone based on the physical characteristics and (ii) control movement of the steering actuators to steer the parachute to land the UAV at the safe landing location.

A parachute deployment system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an interface configured to receive sensor information; a parachute load limiting device; and a parachute load limiting device state controller. The parachute load limiting device state controller sets a state of the parachute load limiting device to a state associated with a corresponding amount of load based at least in part on the sensor information.