Curator Michael Neufeld describes a paraglider landing system, considered by NASA at the beginning of the Gemini program, that would have the two-man Gemini capsule land on a runway after its return from space, rather than parachute into the ocean. Tested but never used to return a spacecraft from space, the Paraglider Landing System Program did prove useful in developing alternate landing techniques. The first of two full-scale, manned Test Tow Vehicles (TTV) built to train Gemini astronauts for flight and flown to perfect maneuvering, control, and landing techniques is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center.  Also on display is a Rogallo Wing used in tests with TTV-1 and TTV-2.

В 2013 году, когда Маск еще только собирался повторно использовать первую ступень, я сделал пост с расчетом и оценками затрат массы на разные способы посадки. Се...