Russia's Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center has developed a system of mid-air retrieval (MAR) for first-stage boosters involving a parafoil with lift devices and a helicopter.The Khrunichev MAR system would be for a 10,000kg (22,000lb) first-stage booster fitted with a parafoil at least 10m (32.7ft) in diameter but no wider than 13m. This is due to aerodynamic needs and mass limitations for the first stage. The parafoil would be fitted with a secondary descent control device that sits in the centre of the canopy, at least a metre above it. The device looks like an enclosed helicopter rotor and provides stability. The MAR helicopter that would retrieve the parafoil and booster would use a three-pronged capture device to connect with the secondary descent control device."This system could be realised in two to three years.
This may be applied to existing expendable launch vehicle boosters," says Khrunichev technical project group chief Sergei Antonenko, speaking at the 2nd European Conference for AeroSpace Sciences, in Brussels on 3 July. He added that the company had had discussions with Lockheed Martin in 2005 about its use with the firm's Atlas V rocket. Lockheed was unavailable for comment. However studies have been made of an Atlas V booster parafoil MAR concept.MAR systems have been abandoned in the past because round parachutes could be unstable and the retrieving aircraft had to hit the canopy accurately, just as it flew through the parachute's wake.
Source: Flight International
