Technical Paper
The Application of the Paraglider to Spacecraft Recovery
1964-01-01
640039
The performance of the Paraglider spacecraft recovery system is described in terms of wing aerodynamic characteristics, glide range, maneuver capabilities, and landing trajectories. Factors that influence the wing-spacecraft rigging design, the flight control scheme, and the wing loading are discussed. With the current state of the art of inflatable wing design, a glide range of the order of 25 miles can be obtained from an initial altitude of 40,000 ft. Wing loadings between 5 and 20 lb/sq ft permit adequate maneuver capabilities and acceptable touchdown sink rates with satisfactory margin on flare initiation altitude.