MSL Parachute Test (SRC-000994)

Conducted at NASA Ames 12/03 - 12/13.

Copies of this video are available directly from JPL's vendor: DG Fastchannel, (323) 603-5220.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NASA
• Ames
• JPL
• MSL
• rover
• curiosity
• red
• planet

[stevendurr]

skip to 0:50

[4d616c65737469636b]

i hope the g switch werent installed backwards

[TurnerMillsDesign]

@rockets4u That's a typical opening for a round parachute. They don't just snap open. They fill with air in the direction from the vent hole to the skirt.

The wind tunnel is testing the mortar deployment more than the design load of the fabric.The seam efficiency and stresses are very predictable and don't need to be tested.The big question is "will the mortar fire the system with enough inertia to carry the pack through full line stretch and get the parachute into the air stream?"

[rockets4u]

@eddiequest4 I was just thinking the same thing & admiring how it deployed progressively over 6 seconds. Reckon this is deliberate to limit the snatch forces which might break stuff even in the thin Martian atmosphere @ Mach 2.2. I have had this experience with large (terrestrial) model rockets where a shute became a streamer.

Q1. What's the trick JPL? something to do with the ring vent?

Q2. Is the wind tunnel also a low pressure chamber,or did you just use a lower speed?

[JuggaloOzi]

Curiosity is in for a wild ride.

[roflex2]

@flippynl Anyone know what the simulated speed is?

[vasilityorkin]

In March and April 2009, the parachute for the MSL was tested in the world's largest wind tunnel and passed flight-qualification testing. The parachute has 80 suspension lines, is over 165 feet (50 meters) long, and is about 51 feet (16 meters) in diameter. The parachute is capable of being deployed at Mach 2.2 and can generate up to 289 kN (65,000 pounds) of drag force in the Martian atmosphere.

[hairball1975]

@flippynl Nice trolling.

[Eurotrashie]

I used to live by Ames and you could hear that wind tunnel in the evenings - it was a loud droning sound.

[eddiequest4]

It sure took a long time to deploy, don't ya think?

[flippynl]

@hairball1975 the speed is zero, it's a huge building. it does not move.

[Shainkov]

That little hole, is the most important part. without it doesn't work.