Design and Testing of High-Performance Parachutes (La Conception et les Essais des Parachutes a Hautes Performances)
Abstract
This AGARDograph provides general state-of-the-art procedures for the design and testing of high-performance parachutes. This includes the use of aerodynamic and structural analysis and application of numerical codes to predict parachute inflation, deceleration forces, payload and parachute trajectories, and canopy/suspension line stresses. Design problems such as parachute collapse, parachute line sail, parachute stability, and body-wake interaction are discussed. The use of nylon, Nomex, Kevlar, Teflon, and other materials is covered. Techniques for the design and fabrication of prototype parachutes and deployment bags are presented, and parachute packing methods are discussed. A section is included on testing of model parachutes in wind tunnels. Fullscale testing, using a sled track or aircraft drop or rocket boost to deploy the parachute at the desired Mach number and altitude, and descriptions of onboard and ground-based instrumentation are outlined. Example parachute designs are given for differing system requirements of payload weight, deployment Mach number and dynamic pressure, parachute weight/volume.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246343
Entities
People
- C. W. Peterson
- K. J. Orlik-rueckemann
- R. C. Maydew
Organizations
- AGARD