That's why the original Mars Sample Return design didn't use chutes

Space/Science » in reply to uhhhhh, the 'chutes GONNA OPEN this TIME?

Larry J — 12/27/2005 10:50:26 PM (archived)

It was designed to have a terminal velocity of perhaps 110 km/hr (~70 MPH) and to withstand the impact. That would be a far simplier and more failsafe design. It wouldn't work with a really fragile payload like Genesis or Stardust, though.

The whole thread (23 posts)

Watch Stardust come home - Tom Brosz - 12/27/2005 6:46:12 AM
- Genesis crash helps Stardust reentry - SteveS - 12/29/2005 11:31:05 PM
- uhhhhh, the 'chutes GONNA OPEN this TIME? - carl - 12/27/2005 8:59:55 PM
  - That's why the original Mars Sample Return design didn't use chutes - Larry J - 12/27/2005 10:50:26 PM
    - There are costs and risks with a system designed to survive impact, too. (n/t) - alcaray - 12/28/2005 4:18:25 PM
      - There are costs and risks associated with everything - Larry J - 12/29/2005 4:12:09 PM
        
        Answer to your question depends partially on how heavy your survivor capsule has to be. (n/t) - alcaray - 12/29/2005 4:40:44 PM
    - The Apollo capsules used chutes...... (n/t) - SDF - 12/28/2005 8:13:12 AM
      - Humans have G limitations that soil samples don't - Larry J - 12/28/2005 3:19:47 PM
- re: Watch Stardust come home - steve smyth - 12/27/2005 7:09:05 PM
  - And land smack in Peterborough, Ontario on you know whose house. ;-) (n/t) - Jacob Samorodin - 12/27/2005 11:13:51 PM
    - re: And land smack in Peterborough, Ontario on you know whose house. ;-) - steve smyth - 12/28/2005 12:19:50 AM
- I'm hoping to see a parachute this time.... (n/t) - et - 12/27/2005 7:03:54 PM
- Cool I'll be watching for it! - Buck Galaxy - 12/27/2005 9:12:06 AM
  - Along with listening for it... - SteveS - 12/27/2005 2:31:20 PM
    - Would airbags have helped for a more secure landing? - LJK - 12/28/2005 3:18:41 AM
      - The added weight involved would not allow it - SteveS - 12/28/2005 3:56:52 PM
        
        Penny wise but pound foolish - LJK - 12/28/2005 7:30:42 PM
        
        re: Penny wise but pound foolish - Doug Ellison - 12/29/2005 11:18:52 AM
        
        Snowball effect - Larry J - 12/29/2005 3:22:24 PM
        
        re: Snowball effect - LJK - 12/30/2005 3:05:29 AM
        
        NASA Aircraft Crew to Observe Stardust's Homecoming - LJK - 1/4/2006 7:39:12 PM
        
        Interview with Donald Brownlee - LJK - 1/4/2006 8:13:45 PM

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