A New Paradigm in Parachute Design
X-ray studies showing the microscopic structure of spacecraft parachute fabrics can fill in key details about how they perform under extreme conditions
As skydivers well know, it’s a good idea to look before you leap—and to pack a trusty parachute, too. A weighty spacecraft zooming toward a planet’s surface at several miles per second will, after enduring a superhot atmospheric entry, also benefit from careful planning and a reliable parachute. (more…)