Rockwell SAVER

The Rockwell SAVER concept provided return of a single crew member in his ejection seat. A nosecap only the size of the seat absorbed most of the re-entry heat. The rest was dissipated through a huge inflatable balloon deployed from the seat. The concept promised a compact, lightweight solution and allowed the possibility to modulate drag and re-entry loads during re-entry by changing the size of the balloon. but required new materials technology for the nosecap and balloon material.

Crew Size: 1. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Maximum Diameter: 2.50 m (8.20 ft). Span: 10.00 m (32.00 ft).

• Kane, Francis X, IAA, "A Thirty Year Perspective on Manned Space Safety and Rescue: Where We've Been; Where We Are; Where We Are Going", IAA 84-270, 1984.