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 recovery parachute assembly may comprise a container comprising an open base end, a parachute packed within the container, a plurality of riser lines and suspension lines packed within the container and proximate the open base end, a tray including a lip configured to receive the open base end of the parachute container, and a first standoff block coupled to the tray, wherein the first standoff block compresses at least one of the riser lines or suspension lines into the base end of the container and away from the tray, wherein the first standoff block defines a channel between the lip of the tray and the first standoff block, wherein the channel includes a plurality of drain holes formed along a distal edge of the tray.

An emergency parachute system for rescue of persons or of manned or unmanned aerial vehicles includes a storage unit, which contains at least one cavity with an opening. The emergency parachute system further includes at least two parachutes, each of which contains a canopy, suspension lines, and a riser. The canopies of the at least two parachutes are folded separately and arranged in the cavity or cavities of the storage unit ejectably. The centers of the canopies are mutually interconnected by means of connection cords on the top side in order to stablize the system during flight.

An emergency parachute system for rescue of persons or of manned or unmanned aerial vehicles includes a storage unit, which contains at least one cavity with an opening. The emergency parachute system further includes at least two parachutes, each of which contains a canopy, suspension lines, and a riser. The canopies of the at least two parachutes are folded separately and arranged in the cavity or cavities of the storage unit ejectably. The centers of the canopies are mutually interconnected by means of connection cords on the top side in order to stablize the system during flight.

A recovery parachute assembly may comprise a container comprising an open base end, a parachute packed within the container, a plurality of riser lines and suspension lines packed within the container and proximate the open base end, a tray including a lip configured to receive the open base end of the parachute container, and a first standoff block coupled to the tray, wherein the first standoff block compresses at least one of the riser lines or suspension lines into the base end of the container and away from the tray, wherein the first standoff block defines a channel between the lip of the tray and the first standoff block, wherein the channel includes a plurality of drain holes formed along a distal edge of the tray.

An emergency parachute system for rescue of persons or of manned or unmanned aerial vehicles includes a storage unit, which contains at least one cavity with an opening. The emergency parachute system further includes at least two parachutes, each of which contains a canopy, suspension lines, and a riser. The canopies of the at least two parachutes are folded separately and arranged in the cavity or cavities of the storage unit ejectably. The centers of the canopies are mutually interconnected by means of connection cords on the top side in order to stablize the system during flight.

An emergency parachute system for rescue of persons or of manned or unmanned aerial vehicles includes a storage unit, which contains at least one cavity with an opening. The emergency parachute system further includes at least two parachutes, each of which contains a canopy, suspension lines, and a riser. The canopies of the at least two parachutes are folded separately and arranged in the cavity or cavities of the storage unit ejectably. The centers of the canopies are mutually interconnected by means of connection cords on the top side in order to stablize the system during flight.

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