ILC Dover’s world leadership in advanced flexible materials, manufacturing technologies and embedded electronic technologies, couples with our expertise in aerospace solutions to make us the premier source and partner for spacecraft landing systems.
Our landing airbag systems safely return both crewed and uncrewed spacecraft to Earth, as well as deliver exploration systems to the Moon and Mars. Adaptable for ground or water landings, our airbags ensure the protection of both people and payloads during descent.
Our airbag systems are designed for sustainability and resilience, supporting system reusability, long-duration readiness and adaptable landing conditions that extend mission lifespans and reduce operational costs.
Red Planet Touchdown: ILC Dover’s impact bags have been used in the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover missions, both mission that relied on ILC Dover to design and manufacture a unique and all-encompassing airbag system to safely deliver the Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity rovers to the surface of Mars.
Airbag Testing for Space Station Transport: The Boeing CST-100 Starliner airbag system, which will provide a safe landing for the spacecraft during any phase of flight, was put to the test over the 20-foot-deep Hydro Impact Basin at NASA’s Langley Research Center. ILC Dover’s six landing airbags were inflated before the full-size Starliner test article was hoisted up by a crane and then dropped from a height and angle that mimicked what the spacecraft might encounter as it pushes off an Atlas V rocket during a launch or ascent emergency.
