Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
This is a risky technique, and so is only used when other forms of landing are infeasible. Successful mid-air retrieval requires correct operation of the retrieving aircraft, favourable atmospheric conditions, and successful execution of a tricky manoeuvre, in addition to correct operation of the vehicle itself. These risks can be mitigated somewhat: for example, multiple recovery aircraft can be used. The need for humanaviators to perform a manoeuvre which would normally be classed as a stunt may in the future be avoided by advances in unmanned aerial vehicles.
Uses
The first successful mission use of mid-air recovery was on 19 August 1960, when a C-119 recovered film from the Corona mission code-named Discoverer 14. This was the first successful recovery of film from an orbiting satellite and the first aerial recovery of an object returning from Earth orbit.
In early 2020 Rocket Lab successfully completed a mid-air recovery demonstration of an Electron test article.
published: 08 Apr 2020
PDG Aviation Services - Mid Air Recovery
PDG Helicopters partnered with Airborne Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully completed a Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstration test program at West Freugh, SW Scotland on behalf of the UK Space Agency.
The Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstrates the feasibility of capturing high value space assets prior to ground or water impact.
The MAR technology enables the recovery and reuse of expensive launch vehicle assets such as Rocket Engines, Booster Stages, Avionics Packages, Payload Fairings, Payloads, Aerial Targets, etc, and significantly reduces the cost of space access.
published: 13 Nov 2017
ARCTUS spacecraft Mid-Air Retrieval Test (MAR)
Mid-Air Retrieval Test performed by ULA to demo a number of MAR applications.
Credits: United Launch Alliance (ULA) & SPACEHAB, Inc.
published: 16 Aug 2010
Mid-air Retrieval
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
published: 13 Sep 2020
Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) of Cruise Missiles, RPV’s and a Historical Overview of Aerial Recovery
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience includes light and heavy lift helicopters i.e. the H-19, H-21, H-1F, H-1N, HH-3E, and H-53. He has a total of 8,188 hours. His assignments in the Air Force included rescue combat crew commander in South East Asia, chief of flight safety at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery headquarters, and Air Force Systems Command Test Squadron. During his time as the Test Squadron Lt. Col Blackwell flew in support of cruise missile tests and special projects including mid-air retrieval for both USAF and NASA projects.
published: 14 Jan 2021
Mid-Air Recovery
Helicopter MAR (Mid-Air Recovery) tests by NASA using an AS350 Astar helicopter
published: 02 Mar 2016
F-0951 MARS Midair Retrieval System, Ryan Aeronautical Firebee Target Drone UAV
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
published: 04 Nov 2013
F 2598 Ryan MARS (Mid AIr Retrieval System) Parachute test of 2,500 Pound Bomb
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
published: 01 Nov 2016
F 3095 Ryan Mid-air recovery tests BQM-34A F-4 Phantom
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
published: 03 May 2017
F 1780 Ryan Mars mid-air retrieval system, Lockheed C-130 and Firebee Drone
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
PDG Helicopters partnered with Airborne Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully completed a Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstration test program at West Freugh, ...
PDG Helicopters partnered with Airborne Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully completed a Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstration test program at West Freugh, SW Scotland on behalf of the UK Space Agency.
The Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstrates the feasibility of capturing high value space assets prior to ground or water impact.
The MAR technology enables the recovery and reuse of expensive launch vehicle assets such as Rocket Engines, Booster Stages, Avionics Packages, Payload Fairings, Payloads, Aerial Targets, etc, and significantly reduces the cost of space access.
PDG Helicopters partnered with Airborne Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully completed a Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstration test program at West Freugh, SW Scotland on behalf of the UK Space Agency.
The Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstrates the feasibility of capturing high value space assets prior to ground or water impact.
The MAR technology enables the recovery and reuse of expensive launch vehicle assets such as Rocket Engines, Booster Stages, Avionics Packages, Payload Fairings, Payloads, Aerial Targets, etc, and significantly reduces the cost of space access.
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowe...
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience inclu...
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience includes light and heavy lift helicopters i.e. the H-19, H-21, H-1F, H-1N, HH-3E, and H-53. He has a total of 8,188 hours. His assignments in the Air Force included rescue combat crew commander in South East Asia, chief of flight safety at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery headquarters, and Air Force Systems Command Test Squadron. During his time as the Test Squadron Lt. Col Blackwell flew in support of cruise missile tests and special projects including mid-air retrieval for both USAF and NASA projects.
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience includes light and heavy lift helicopters i.e. the H-19, H-21, H-1F, H-1N, HH-3E, and H-53. He has a total of 8,188 hours. His assignments in the Air Force included rescue combat crew commander in South East Asia, chief of flight safety at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery headquarters, and Air Force Systems Command Test Squadron. During his time as the Test Squadron Lt. Col Blackwell flew in support of cruise missile tests and special projects including mid-air retrieval for both USAF and NASA projects.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permissio...
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http:...
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http:...
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http:...
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
PDG Helicopters partnered with Airborne Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully completed a Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstration test program at West Freugh, SW Scotland on behalf of the UK Space Agency.
The Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR) demonstrates the feasibility of capturing high value space assets prior to ground or water impact.
The MAR technology enables the recovery and reuse of expensive launch vehicle assets such as Rocket Engines, Booster Stages, Avionics Packages, Payload Fairings, Payloads, Aerial Targets, etc, and significantly reduces the cost of space access.
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience includes light and heavy lift helicopters i.e. the H-19, H-21, H-1F, H-1N, HH-3E, and H-53. He has a total of 8,188 hours. His assignments in the Air Force included rescue combat crew commander in South East Asia, chief of flight safety at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery headquarters, and Air Force Systems Command Test Squadron. During his time as the Test Squadron Lt. Col Blackwell flew in support of cruise missile tests and special projects including mid-air retrieval for both USAF and NASA projects.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Film donated by the Ryan Aeronautical Company to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the 1990s.
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/ Please do not use for commercial purposes without permission.
Mid-air retrieval is a technique used in atmospheric reentry when the reentering vehicle is incapable of a satisfactory unassisted landing. The vehicle is slowed by means of parachutes, and then a specially-equipped aircraft matches the vehicle's trajectory and catches it in mid-air.
This is a risky technique, and so is only used when other forms of landing are infeasible. Successful mid-air retrieval requires correct operation of the retrieving aircraft, favourable atmospheric conditions, and successful execution of a tricky manoeuvre, in addition to correct operation of the vehicle itself. These risks can be mitigated somewhat: for example, multiple recovery aircraft can be used. The need for humanaviators to perform a manoeuvre which would normally be classed as a stunt may in the future be avoided by advances in unmanned aerial vehicles.
Uses
The first successful mission use of mid-air recovery was on 19 August 1960, when a C-119 recovered film from the Corona mission code-named Discoverer 14. This was the first successful recovery of film from an orbiting satellite and the first aerial recovery of an object returning from Earth orbit.
Pedaling motions ... Types ... Citation. Typing in mid-air or pretending to drink. How using your hands to communicate can help you understand others (2025, March 17) retrieved 17 March 2025 from https.//phys.org/news/2025-03-mid-air-communicate.html ... ....
Even before they had retrieved the bodies from the water, Trump was already opining that diversity programs had caused the recent mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter over Washington, D.C ... It doesn’t ... Since Mr.