An electronic, mechanical, or pyrotechnic device that permits the rocket's unpowered ascent between motor burnout and the deployment of the recovery device. Typically, the delay is a pyrotechnic grain which separates the propellant from the deployment charge and which burns at a known rate. The delay grain begins to burn either at the same time the propellant grain is ignited (composite motors), or at the end of propellant ignition (black powder motors). When the delay grain burns through, it ignites the deployment charge. Also, the period of time between propellant burnout and recovery system deployment.