Abstract: Returning samples from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is no simple task. Whether the samples are scientific experiments or surveillance footage, engineers must overcome many challenges to achieve mission success. In August of 1960 the first payload recovered from LEO, the Corona capsule, carried “more photographic coverage of the Soviet Union than all previous U-2 missions”. The Corona program proved that re-turning surveillance footage from LEO is possible, the program is still referenced today when ...
