No sweat making cables of adequate strength - and you don't deploy the wing all at once - the partial inflation stage is a lot like a reefed chute - slows you further below the velocity you have after drogue deployment. I think, though, that a parafoil like they looked at for X-38 or an airbag/normal chute setup is more likely to be used in a capsule OSP.
The shuttle configuration is badly flawed - so you are not talking about a simple redesign - you'd be talking tens of billions for a satisfactory replacement which does everything required of the current orbiter. After several false starts which DID cost billions and failed to produce vehicles, Congress isn't likely to give NASA a blank check for OSP. There are also fairly persuasive arguments against coupling heavy cargo and crew transport on the same vehicle. We need a reliable crew vehicle, stat, and we need to be able to fund the program to completion and use. I think that a capsule has the best shot given what is about to happen to the federal budget when the deficit comes home to roost!
Jim
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