Space Parachutes

[kkeenan 14]

OK, not really.
The attached shows the test drop last week of the heaviest air-dropped payload from a C-17. NASA is testing the recovery parachutes for the Ares 1 First Stage. This first stage is similar to the Solid Rocket Boosters used on the Space Shuttle, except that they are heavier and have a higher parachute deployment speed. This requires the design of a new parachute system (drogues and mains). Thus the tests.

Yes, the President has recommended the ending of Ares development, but that's not final yet, and these tests have been scheduled and bugeted. The government works in strange ways.

I have to salute my CRWDog teammate and World Record-Holder, Dave Hillebrandt, who is one of the designers and Test Engineers for the new parachute system. As you can imagine, there is a lot of very critical design and rigging that goes into one of these tests. This one went flawlessly. Good work, Dave.
http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123200959

[BillyVance 35]

Dave rocks! He has one cool job!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[turtlespeed 226]

What - No video?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[BillyVance 35]

Dunno why, but check the 2nd picture in the article. Click for the link by the first one.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

Dunno why, but check the 2nd picture in the article. Click for the link by the first one.

ESTES has come a long way, no?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[cocheese 0]

You guys rock. Thanks for the post. Wish i was there.

Stay in school kids, don't do drugs.

[shah269 0]

Ok how cool would it be to ride it in! http://theswca.com/images-art/bradley-clock-talking-strangelove.jpg

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[JohnRich 4]

So what happens to the airplane when 77,000 lbs. suddenly drops out the back end?

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

So what happens to the airplane when 77,000 lbs. suddenly drops out the back end?

Better fuel economy?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[BillyVance 35]

Quote

So what happens to the airplane when 77,000 lbs. suddenly drops out the back end?

I dunno, but I'm guessing you would not want to be standing unrestrained near the tail!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[skybill 22]

Hi Kev,
Most cool!! When i worked for Scurvyirvin the biggest drop we ever did was 42,000lb. for the Kisler Aero program. (6) ea. 150'dia ringsail chutes!! How many chutes, how big and what kind are they using for the 77,000lb. drop??

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out