Flight Descent Profile

Descent- First Stage:

Upon reentry, the dive brakes situated between the fins open to maintain a stable attitude and decelerate the vehicle to subsonic speed. When the booster reaches the lower, denser atmosphere, four parachutes located just behind the dive brake flaps are deployed, slowing the final descent to 30 ft/sec for a gentle splashdown in the water approximately 10 miles down range.

Descent- Second Stage:

As the crew cabin decelerates into the denser atmosphere, the ballute ram air scoops keep it inflated to the correct pressure. After the crew cabin slows to subsonic speed in the lower atmosphere, the ballute is released and pulls the three main parachutes out, slowing the vehicle for a gentle splashdown approximately 15 miles down range.

Recovery:

The first stage has positive buoyancy without flotation gear. A recovery ship will lift the booster from the water and carry it back to base for processing and re-launch. The crew cabin has a low center of gravity so that when floating on the water, the cabin will roll over to a stable position with the hatches facing up. After reorienting itself, inflatable floats are deployed on each side of the cabin to make the whole craft a very stable 'raft' on the water. The crew can now open the hatches and stand up if they want to, while waiting for the recovery vessel.

o Flight Sequence
o Design - First Stage
o Design - Second Stage
o Flight Ascent Profile
o Flight Descent Profile
o V2 History
o Propulsion

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