World’s largest parachute to deploy a Martian Rover

There hasn’t been a parachute deployed this big ever in the history of mankind, and this isn’t for recreation, instead, the purpose is very serious. The world’s largest parachute has been developed to land a one-ton Mars Rover (750 pounds on Mars) that will cushion its fall through the thin Martian atmosphere. Developed by NASA, this chute measures 52 feet in diameter and has 80 suspension lines, each measuring 150 feet long. Just to draw a comparison, this parachute is double the size of any of its contemporaries ever deployed in space.

worlds largest parachute

This parachute will deploy the NASA Mars Science Laboratory and would survive at Mach 2.2 while generating 65,000 pounds of drag. There aren’t any doubts on the credentials of this chute, as it was tested in the world’s largest wind tunnel (80 feet tall, 120 feet wide) and it qualified the standards in April making it ready for the 2011 flight of the Mars Rover. Video after the jump.

Via: Popularmechanics