Techniques for Space and Hypersonic Flight Escape (Paracone)

A single, efficient, reliable emergency escape system is needed to provide, at an acceptable total cost, emergency escape capability throughout the entire mission envelope of hypersonic and orbital vehicles. Analysis and limited testing indicate that the Douglas Paracone emergency escape system will meet this requirement.

The Paracone is a gas-inflatable structure shaped like a cone with a large spherical nose. When the cone is deployed , the crew is positioned and supported within the cone approximately one third the length of the cone as measured from the leading edge of the spherical nose. The crew is suspended over an air mattress flotation plenum chamber which, in turn, is located over a gas impact attenuator.