In-Canopy Bleed Air Control to Enable a Steerable Subsonic Parachute System

This proposal focuses on the development of an innovative in-canopy bleed air control system for round parachutes, specifically targeting spacecraft entry, descent, and landing (EDL) applications. Currently, parachute systems used in EDL rely on unguided round parachutes, which are subject to significant landing location uncertainty due to the influence of atmospheric winds. This lack of active control limits the precision required for successful planetary landings, especially in future missions to Mars and other celestial bodies. The proposed technology aims to address this issue by integrating a bleed air control system within the parachute canopy. This system will utilize small, lightweight actuators and sensors to manipulate vents in the canopy, enabling active steering during descent. By reducing the impact of unpredictable atmospheric conditions, this system will enhance the accuracy and reliability of parachute-based landings, contributing to the success of planetary exploration missions. Funding will be used to design, build, and test the in-canopy bleed air control system, starting with the MC-6 parachute as a baseline. The Phase 1 effort will focus on creating and testing multiple in-canopy control configurations, with the goal of optimizing control authority and minimizing actuator force. Prototype systems will be fabricated and tested through flight experiments to validate performance, including control authority, power consumption, and reliability. The target markets for this technology include NASA, the U.S. military, and international allies, with potential applications in both personnel and cargo airdrop systems. The first product developed will be an in-canopy control system for the T-10 parachute, marketed as an autopilot kit for personnel use. Further development will include similar systems for cargo parachutes such as the G-11 and G-12. This technology has broad potential for improving landing precision in a variety of applications.