J. S. Deitering
Published: 1964
Total Pages: 22
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Tests were conducted in the 40-inch supersonic wind tunnel of the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility to investigate the drag and stability characteristics of a series of fabric parachute models. The models were tested at Mach numbers from 1.5 to 5 at dynamic pressures corresponding to altitudes of 65,000 to 135,000 ft, respectively. Three basic configurations were examined: conventional ribbon parachutes with varied amounts of reefing, flat-roofed parachutes (hyperflo canopy designs) without reefing, and tandem-canopy parachutes composed of reefed ribbon parachutes with hyperflo canopies sewn in the suspension lines. Drag and motion data for each configuration were recorded by oscillograph drag traces and high-speed schlieren and regular movies. The performance of the various chutes is discussed, and drag data are presented. (Author).