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.

A multi-staged suspension line length parachute may include a suspension line having a primary length and a secondary length. The primary length may be deployable upon a first deployment of the multi-staged suspension line length parachute. The secondary length may be prevented from deployment until the primary length has fully deployed. An attenuator may attach a first portion of the secondary length to a second portion of the secondary length.

Aspects described herein relate to an apparatus, system, and method for the airborne launch of inflatable, lighter-than-air devices from aircraft. In some instances, a container comprising a drag parachute and a main parachute assembly may be deployed from an aircraft. Drag forces on the container may cause the drag parachute to be expelled from the container. Drag forces on the drag parachute may cause the main parachute assembly to be expelled from the container. The main parachute assembly may include a canopy with an opening and a release channel connecting the opening with the container. The container may further include a balloon inflation mechanism, which may be used to inflate one or more balloon envelopes. The one or more balloon envelopes, after being inflated, may be configured to be released from the container, traverse the release channel, and exit the main parachute assembly through the opening.

A multi-staged suspension line length parachute is provided. The parachute may comprise a canopy, a suspension line, a bundle, a bundling confluence, a traditional confluence, and a riser. The parachute may also comprise a cutter and a cutter pin puller configured to activate the cutter. The bundle may comprise a bundling line configured to secure secondary length from the suspension line. The parachute may deploy to a first length. In response to tension on the cutter pin puller, the cutter may activate to sever the bundling line in the bundle, causing the secondary length of the suspension line to release. The parachute may then deploy to a second length.

Described herein are features for a riser release flaring system for parafoils and other descent flight vehicles for controlled descent and landing of the flight vehicle. The descent flight vehicle may have a payload suspended by a canopy. The descent flight vehicle may be released from a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system, from another system, or may not be associated with any other flight system. The riser release auto flare system is used with the descent system, such as the parafoil, for controlled and safe landing of the payload. Riser lines are released at a controlled rate and for a fixed distance to automatically cause the payload to pull control lines to flare the parafoil and slow a descent and/or forward speed of the vehicle. The riser lines may be released in response to the descent system satisfying a landing criterion, such as altitude.

Described herein are features for a riser release flaring system for parafoils and other descent flight vehicles for controlled descent and landing of the flight vehicle. The descent flight vehicle may have a payload suspended by a canopy. The descent flight vehicle may be released from a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system, from another system, or may not be associated with any other flight system. The riser release auto flare system is used with the descent system, such as the parafoil, for controlled and safe landing of the payload. Riser lines are released at a controlled rate and for a fixed distance to automatically cause the payload to pull control lines to flare the parafoil and slow a descent and/or forward speed of the vehicle. The riser lines may be released in response to the descent system satisfying a landing criterion, such as altitude.

An article of manufacture, a force reduction release mechanism and system for selectively maintaining and releasing components under tensile tension, the release mechanism offering mechanical gain such that the force required to activate a release between the components is a mere fraction of the heavy tensile tension force. Other aspects of the invention include novel cargo parachute system utilizing the release mechanism and a parachute stabilization arrangement utilizing at least one releasable stabilization anchor.

An automatic parachute release device is a quick release coupler that becomes disengaged after an externally applied tension load is removed. The parachute release device has a parachute connection fastener, a camlock mechanism, a retention mechanism and a catch pin. The camlock mechanism is a mechanical controller that transitions the retention mechanism between a set configuration and a release configuration. While in the set configuration, the retention device is clamped around the catch pin. While in the release configuration, the retention mechanism disengages the catch pin. Thus, the retentive capabilities of the retention mechanism are governed by the configuration of the camlock mechanism. The retention mechanism remains in the set configuration until the load is removed. At which point, the retention mechanism slides into a dedicated slot of the camlock mechanism and becomes disengaged.

An automatic parachute release device is a quick release coupler that becomes disengaged after an externally applied tension load is removed. The parachute release device has a parachute connection fastener, a camlock mechanism, a retention mechanism and a catch pin. The camlock mechanism is a mechanical controller that transitions the retention mechanism between a set configuration and a release configuration. While in the set configuration, the retention device is clamped around the catch pin. While in the release configuration, the retention mechanism disengages the catch pin. Thus, the retentive capabilities of the retention mechanism are governed by the configuration of the camlock mechanism. The retention mechanism remains in the set configuration until the load is removed. At which point, the retention mechanism slides into a dedicated slot of the camlock mechanism and becomes disengaged.

A multi-staged drogue parachute assembly may include a suspension line having a primary length and a secondary length. The primary length may be deployable upon a first deployment of the multi-staged drogue parachute assembly. The secondary length may be prevented from deployment until the primary length has fully deployed. An attenuator may attach a first portion of the secondary length to a second portion of the secondary length.