Biodegradable parachutes

[base428 1]

I'm working on a project that may require our product to be air dropped via parachute into unfriendly territory. While our product will last for many months, the parachute should not be detected. Therefore, I'm looking for any info on biodegradable parachutes or parachutes that respond aggressively to UV. Any info or other ideas on hiding a parachute is appreciated.

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[darkwing 5]

rice paper? cotton candy fabric? All kidding aside, I am certain that the solution exists without having to invent it. It would seem that weight and bulk of the canopy are not major issues, which simplifies the process of selecting a suitable material considerably.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[JohnRich 4]

Upon impact with the ground, have the payload squirt an acid solution vigorously into the air...

[Dougiefresh 0]

Silk.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[Hooknswoop 19]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0904/p12s02-sten.html

Derek

[bch7773 0]

perhaps spray the canopy with a chemical that is very sensitive to UV light, and creates a strong acid or oxidizer when exposed to the UV light. I know there are chemicals which do that.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[riggerrob 643]

Start with a water-soluble natural fiber.

[Cloggy 1]

The fluorescent colors ZP-fabric are more sensitive to UV .

(I hope this hasn't anything to do with deploying mines or other unpleasant stuff? .)

Dunno how heavy or impact-resistant your payload is, but wouldn't a 'toilet paper' streamer be sufficient? Maybe a watersoluble coating could help the streamer to survive long enough to survive a drop in rainy weather, but dissolve completely afterwards.
Or cover the thing in biodegradable foam (the stuff they make the biodegradable packing peanuts/foam from).
Would be fun throwing al these foam balls from a plane
Cover the parachute in fertilizer and glue grass seeds to it... After a few days you won't know there was a parachute.

Could think up some more, but I think my boss needs my brain...

[KevinMcGuire 0]

I've got some thoughts. Give me a call.
Kevin
(520)705-9936

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

help the streamer to survive long enough to survive a drop in rainy weather, but dissolve completely afterwards.

That seems to be the major problem with this idea. Anything that will help it biodegrade after usage, will also cause it to start degrading in storage before you use it. Therefore, I'm not sure you could trust it to do its job. You would have to keep it hermetically sealed until before you hook it up and load it on the plane.

Easiest and simplest would be to just have different camoflauge schemes, and match the canopy to the environment in which you are dropping it. It might not degrade, but could be hard to see.

[cobaltdan 0]

we have developed "disappearing canopies" for sensor delivery. contact me offline for more info.

daniel preston
www.atairaerospace.com

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)