Couple Questions..

[mdodson]

"Air capture has been done with parachutes. The first generation of spy satellites (keyhole?) periodically dropped film canisters over the Pacific Ocean. Air Force planes snagged the parachutes before the payload hit. "<br /><br />The Air Force Museum in Dayton has both a capsule from the "Corona" series of satellites, and a modified Fairchild C-119 (outside) that was in the business of snagging them. It had a loop with hooks behind it, and the game was to snag the parachute of the capsule with the hooks. I bet it took LOTS of practice to stay proficient at that. I suspect that the first attempt was made high enough that you had a second chance before the capsule splashed.<br /><br />Part of the trick is deciding just how much atmospheric drag you're going to get today (it varies, particularly in polar orbits) and how that will affect the trajectory.