a barricade installation for arresting the motion of a winged space vehicleomprising four rectangular loops of heavy duty nylon rope commonly attached at each corner to a pair of stanchions by tensioning pendants , and at opposite vertical sides to a pair of arresting engines . a plurality of vertical , nylon engaging straps are positioned between top and bottom horizontal ropes at finite intervals along the length thereof in step - wise fashion . upon engagement of the vertical straps by the vehicle , the rectangular loops break away from the stanchions and move in the direction of forward motion of the vehicle , and loading on the vehicle frame and wing assemblies is equalized during arrestment as the vertical straps are free to move relative to the horizontal ropes .