Tender Descender

The Tender Descender is a Main parachute release device for doing dual deployment from a single compartment!

 No longer do you have to modify your favorite rocket with a separate electronics bay to do dual deployment!

 Use the Tender Descender in conjunction with an altimeter, drogue & main chute(s) and a main chute deployment bag(s).

 You can use the Tender Descender with any rocket that uses an altimeter for parachute deployment, to do dual deployment from a single compartment without having to do any structural changes to your rocket and you can do it in the field in a very short time!

 Use the Tender Descender to delay the deployment of 1, 2 or even 3 or more main parachutes!

 It’s simple! It’s reliable and it’s affordable!

The Tender Descender works by simply keeping the main(s) from deploying by “tying” the drogue to the airframe, thereby preventing the drogue from pulling the deployment bags off of the main parachute(s). Once the altimeter fires the “main” separation charge in the Tender Descender, the drogue is released from the rocket allowing the drogue and the rocket to fall away from each other. Once the parachute shroud lines and risers are fully extended, the lines come taught and the deployment bags are yanked off the main chute(s) allowing for picture perfect deployment of the main parachute(s)!

HDPE Model

This is the device that started it all! It’s strong, it’s capable of handling over 500 pounds of initial shock load and it can still separate with 200 pounds attached. It’s light weight at only 39gms! The HDPE Tender Descender is intended for rockets weighing up to 25 pounds. This is the device of choice for those smaller projects doing dual deployment! Here is a video of this device being tested with a 200 pound static load, and another of it being used in a 4inch V2!

Dimensions: 1¾ ”L x ¾”W x ¾”T (W/O quick links)

Weight: 39 grams (including quick links)

Housing Material: HDPE – High Density Polyethylene

Quick link Material: 1/8th inch Zinc Coated Steel

Maximum shock load: 600 lbs

Maximum release weight: 200lbs

Recommended max rocket weight: 25 lbs

L2 Model

Dimensionally the L2 is the same as the HDPE, but it is over 4 times as strong! The L2 Tender Descender is made from heat treated anodized aluminum with stainless steel quick links. It can handle over 2,000 lbs of initial shock load and still deploy with over 500 pounds attached, yet weighs only 52gms. The L2 Tender Descender is intended for rockets weighing up to about 75 pounds. The L2 Tender Descender uses the stainless steel quick links that rocketmaterials.org has tested to have a break strength of about 3,300 pounds!

Dimensions: 1¾ ”L x ¾”W x ¾”T (W/O quick links)

Weight: 52 grams (including quick links)

Housing Material: Heat treated anodized aluminum

Quick link Material: 1/8th inch Stainless Steel

Maximum shock load: 2,000 lbs

Maximum release weight: 500lbs

Recommended max rocket weight: 75 lbs

L3 Model

For those really large projects there is the Tender Descender L3. The L3 Tender Descender is a massively strong tether and release device capable of withstanding up to 3 tons of initial shock load and still be able to deploy with over 1,000 pounds of static load! Even with this tremendous strength, this device weighs only 5 oz! The L3 Tender Descender is intended for the very largest of projects weighing as much as 300 pounds or more!

Dimensions: 2¼”L x ¾”W x 1”T (W/O quick links)

Weight: 5 oz (including quick links)

Housing Material: Heat treated anodized aluminum

Quick link Material: ¼th inch Stainless Steel

Maximum shock load: 6,000 lbs

Maximum release weight: Over 1,000lbs

Recommended max rocket weight: Over 300 lbs

Download Tender Descender Pdf Manual Here, 5.3 MB