Not sure about others, but before all of these articles that have come out about Crew Dragon parachute development, I always figured that parachutes were pretty simple. Just some big nylon...
Not sure about others, but before all of these articles that have come out about Crew Dragon parachute development, I always figured that parachutes were pretty simple. Just some big nylon half-spheres that you chucked overboard with some explosives; add as many as you need to slow you down.
Definitely didn't realize how much science and engineering go into the design and selection of systems to handle the massive loads they experience while remaining low weight.
This was my main frustration with people that were doubting SpaceX’s booster landing practicality. “Why don’t they just use parachutes?” It turns out, parachutes are heavy and complicated too!
This was my main frustration with people that were doubting SpaceX’s booster landing practicality. “Why don’t they just use parachutes?” It turns out, parachutes are heavy and complicated too!
Haha, yeah, especially in the case of boosters. Tough to justify letting your 14-story first stage drift on the wind when you can do a pinpoint-ish propulsive landing.
Haha, yeah, especially in the case of boosters. Tough to justify letting your 14-story first stage drift on the wind when you can do a pinpoint-ish propulsive landing.
Not sure about others, but before all of these articles that have come out about Crew Dragon parachute development, I always figured that parachutes were pretty simple. Just some big nylon half-spheres that you chucked overboard with some explosives; add as many as you need to slow you down.
Definitely didn't realize how much science and engineering go into the design and selection of systems to handle the massive loads they experience while remaining low weight.
This was my main frustration with people that were doubting SpaceX’s booster landing practicality. “Why don’t they just use parachutes?” It turns out, parachutes are heavy and complicated too!
Haha, yeah, especially in the case of boosters. Tough to justify letting your 14-story first stage drift on the wind when you can do a pinpoint-ish propulsive landing.