Design - Second Stage

Propulsion
and
Recovery System

The second stage of the Canadian Arrow is propelled by 4 JATO type solid rocket engines. The four engines are ignited simultaneously just after stage separation. The guidance system maintains correct attitude control using cold gas jets.

Stored in the nose of the second stage is a reentry ballute and three main parachutes. During the reentry phase of the flight, the nose cap will separate from the main cabin, pulling out the ram air reentry ballute. This ballute will slow down and stabilize the crew cabin during the reentry phase of the flight. Stored just under the ballute are three 50ft diameter parachutes that when deployed, reduce the crew cabin splashdown velocity to 26 ft/sec.

Crew Cabin Escape System

During every aspect of the flight, the crew cabin can be separated from the first stage, and initiate a recovery sequence based on the altitude and flight dynamics of the vehicle. As described previously, the four solid rockets can be ignited at any point during the flight, including a zero altitude launch pad abort. Flight stability has been achieved by ensuring the second stage is a stable vehicle on it's own. Design changes during the last year have enabled the removal of the lattice style stablization fins. During a zero altitude abort the crew cabin will reach a height of 5000 ft where it will deploy its main recovery parachutes. The access hatches on the crew cabin can be explosively blown off for quick exit of the vehicle.

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

[Letter from CEO] [Vehicle Overview] [Canadian Arrow Space Centre] [Our Astronauts] [Drop Test] [Spacediving] [Contact Us] [What's New] [Canadian Arrow]