JRS: In article , seen
in news:sci.space.tech, Vincent Cate posted at Fri,
19 Sep 2003 08:22:53 :-

You would of course want 2 parafoils, 2 computers, 2 differential GPS units,
etc. The capsule would be reusable as long as it hit the airbag, and
have a crumple zone (like a car, Armadillo Aerospace, or Apollo seats)
in case it missed. It might not be reusable if it missed, but the people
should survive. People survive car crashes with less deceleration
protection than a form fitting couch.


Alternatively, design the vehicle with an internal crumple zone or air
mattress under each individual couch. This adds little mass.

The vehicle has one degree of reusability-importance and one degree of
impact-resistance; a passenger has a different degree of each. Design
for these appropriately.

Just consider the state of the car after a car-into-wall crash in which
a well-deployed airbag made the occupant into a minor medical case.
Normally, I believe, not reusable.

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