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AspireSpace
The British Amateur Space / Rocket Programme


ASPIRE II Recovery System

The steerable parachute is ejected post apogee at high altitude where the atmosphere is minimal. It is then allowed to settle down as the vehicle speeds up and the Q increases. NO shock loads. Just a steadily increasing load up to max parachute deployed reentry Q.

Stratospheric shear layers have to be guarded against. The method AspireSpace use is a step function to calcuate the conditions, enabling a good safety margin. Studies and calculations are currently being carried out into the bending stresses about the Centre of Gravity.

The steerable parachute recovery system is progressing well, with flight tests having been carried out on the main parachute, at altitudes of up to 200 metres. The onboard CCD video camera for virtual piloting of the recovery system, performed flawlessly, transmitting live images to the ground station, which were then archived on video for detailed examination. Flight tests have been carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996. More tests are planned for the next few years.

An AspireSpace Steerable parachute undergoing testing



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