Abstract: With the rapid development of the space industry, traditional Entry, Descent, and Landing technologies are failing to meet the demands of modern space missions. Inflatable and mechanically deployable aerodynamic decelerators are expected to be used for the recovery of various space missions due to their foldability, small size and light weight. The research progress and current status are presented around inflatable and mechanically deployable aerodynamic decelerators. Firstly, the flight tests conducted by various countries are introduced on inflatable and mechanically deployable aerodynamic decelerators. Then, it presents the research progress of inflatable aerodynamic decelerator technologies. Four main areas are presented, including structural configuration, aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics and aeroelasticity. Thirdly, the technologies for mechanically deployable aerodynamic decelerators are presented, focusing on the areas of structural design and optimization, aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, and attitude control. Finally, an insightful perspective on the future technological development of aerodynamic decelerator is presented, highlighting a potential innovative approach for the recovery of launch vehicle sub-stages, spacecraft, and so on.

Key words:  , inflatable deployment, mechanical deployment, aerodynamic deceleration, EDL technology, flexibility, aerodynamic characteristics