Pioneer Aerospace Corporation

Pioneer Aerospace Corporation is an aerodynamic deceleration manufacturer.

Not to be confused with Pioneer Instrument Company.

Pioneer has designed and manufactured parachutes and parafoils for numerous NASA missions.

History

Pioneer Aerospace Corporation began production in 1938. In 1988, Pioneer become a part of Zodiac's Aerosafety Systems Group.[1] Pioneer's main factory and distribution centers are located in Columbia, Mississippi[2] and Bloomfield, Connecticut.[3] On December 1st, 2018 Safran acquired Zodiac Aerospace as Safran Aerosystems.[4] The company is one of the largest aerodynamic deceleration manufacturers in the world.[5][6]

NASA

Pioneer Aerospace Corporation has designed and manufactured recovery systems for numerous NASA missions, including: the Galileo probe, the Space Shuttle, the Mars Pathfinder missions, the Genesis solar-sample mission, the Stardust Comet Intercept Probe, and the Mars Exploration Rovers.[7] In 1999, Pioneer manufactured, at the time, the world's largest parafoil (7,500 square ft.) for the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, an emergency return capsule for the crew of the International Space Station.[8]

References
  1. | Pioneer Aerospace (now defunct corporate website), Company History
  2. | Bed & Breakfast Association of Mississippi (website); Visit Mississippi One Porch at a Time
  3. | Safran Aerosystems (corporate website), Contact Us
  4. Safran shareholders meeting approves the merger of Zodiac Aerospace into Safran with 99.88% voting in favor
  5. | Mississippi Group Tour Escort Manual (pdf)
  6. | Pioneer Aerospace (corporate website), Home
  7. | Mississippi Group Tour Escort Manual (pdf)
  8. | Bed & Breakfast Association of Mississippi (website); Visit Mississippi One Porch at a Time
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