A parafoil recovery system capable of autonomously controlling the descent
profile of a payload to a recovery area and maneuvering the parafoil to
execute a soft landing in the recovery area is disclosed. A descent
profile management system determines wind speed and direction, altitude,
heading, and position of the payload based on sensor input. The descent
profile management system also determines a gliding flight path profile
from the launch point to the desired recovery area. A flare and stall
maneuver is executed at the end of the landing sequence by braking the
parafoil to slow the vertical descent speed and groundspeed for a soft
landing. The pitch attitude of the payload can be adjusted by the descent
profile management system to prevent nose-first impact with the ground.
The parafoil canopy is released from the payload upon touchdown to prevent
the canopy from dragging the payload on the ground after landing.
