NASA's Sounding Rocket program used to use a system similar to the CORONA that you mention below. To my knowledge, it was retired due to the high risk nature of

NASA's Sounding Rocket program used to use a system similar to the CORONA that you mention below. To my knowledge, it was retired due to the high risk nature of the recovery; there was at least one close call involving the chute line and a propeller. Now the payloads that need to be recovered are just sealed to prevent saltwater contamination and fitted with flotation aids and dye markers so a recovery team can find them.