Aerospace balloon system, parachute, and method of operation

Abstract

A balloon system including a balloon, a payload, and a safety module. A safety module, preferably including a tether and a parachute, and optionally including a cover and/or a drogue. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including operating the balloon system in flight and descending under a parachute.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A balloon system comprising:
 a balloon;   a payload;   a tether mechanically connecting the payload to the balloon; and   a parachute module arranged between the payload and the balloon, the parachute module comprising:
 a canopy; and 
 a set of suspension lines mechanically connecting the payload to the canopy; 
   
       wherein:
 the balloon system is operable in a first configuration in which:
 the balloon contains a lighter-than-air fluid; 
 the payload is suspended from the balloon by the tether; and 
 the parachute module is in a stowed configuration; and 
 
 the balloon system is operable to transition from the first configuration to a second configuration in which:
 the balloon contains the lighter-than-air fluid; 
 the payload is suspended from the balloon by the tether; 
 the parachute module is in a deployed configuration in which the canopy is substantially open and in which the canopy encircles the tether; and 
 the payload is suspended from the canopy by the set of suspension lines.