Orion Parachutes
Houston We Have a Podcast
Deep Dive
Why are parachutes a critical component for the Orion spacecraft's return to Earth?
Parachutes are essential for safely decelerating the Orion spacecraft from extreme speeds and temperatures during re-entry, allowing it to land in the ocean with minimal impact on the crew and equipment.
How long has the development of the Orion parachute system been ongoing?
The development of the Orion parachute system has been ongoing for over 15 years, with the current team members having been involved for about 10 years.
What is the size of the Orion main parachutes, and how do they compare to everyday objects?
The Orion main parachutes are 116 feet in diameter and cover approximately the size of a football field when laid out, making them significantly larger than a typical house.
What materials are used in the construction of the Orion parachutes?
The parachutes are made from commercial off-the-shelf materials, including nylon for the canopy and Kevlar for the suspension lines and structural grid, similar to materials used in tents and bulletproof vests.
How many people are involved in the Orion parachute team, and where are they located?
The parachute team includes around 150 personnel from Jacobs Technology (now Amentum) and various vendors across the U.S., with additional experts from NASA centers like Kennedy Space Center and Langley Research Center.
What challenges are faced during the production and handling of the Orion parachutes?
The parachutes are large and require precise hand labor, including sewing and knot tying, which introduces variability. Ensuring consistency and preventing damage during packing are critical challenges.
How does the Orion parachute system ensure redundancy and safety in case of malfunctions?
The system is designed to handle failures at multiple stages, including losing one parachute in each of the four types (FBCP, drogue, pilot, and main). Pyrotechnic reefing line cutters provide additional redundancy during deployment.
What forces do the Orion parachutes need to withstand during deployment?
The main parachutes are designed to withstand peak loads of approximately 46,000 pounds, with complex models used to predict and distribute these forces across the suspension lines and canopy.
How fast is the Orion spacecraft traveling when the parachutes are deployed, and how much do they slow it down?
The spacecraft is traveling at about 150 miles per hour when the main parachutes deploy, slowing it down to approximately 17 miles per hour by the time of splashdown.
What is the sequence of parachute deployment during Orion's return to Earth?
The sequence begins with forward bay cover parachutes at 350 mph, followed by drogue parachutes, pilot parachutes, and finally the main parachutes, which deploy at 150 miles per hour and slow the vehicle to 17 mph.
How does the parachute system handle debris and safety during recovery operations?
The system uses simulations to predict debris paths, ensuring recovery teams and assets are staged at safe distances to avoid falling debris from parachute deployment and recovery operations.
Why are the Orion parachutes not reused after missions?
While parachutes are technically reusable, Orion's parachutes are not reused due to the high precision and thin margins required for human spaceflight, making it safer and more reliable to use new parachutes for each mission.
How many parachutes are currently ready for upcoming Artemis missions?
Parachutes are being manufactured and packed for Artemis missions through Artemis 8, with Artemis 2 parachutes already installed on the spacecraft and Artemis 3 parachutes packed and ready for installation.
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