Photo. In the matter of space parachutes, here’s another: engineers pack the Technology Education Satellite (TechEdSat-5) with the Exo-Brake payload. At almost 4 square feet in cross section, the Exo-Brake is made of Mylar and is controlled by a hybrid system of mechanic struts and flexible cord. Credits: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart
ESA confirms ExoMars parachute test failure. The European Space Agency (ESA) today confirmed earlier stories from last week that the parachutes for its ExoMars 2020 spacecraft had failed during a high altitude drop test on August 5.
By Saturday 10 August, the ESA had not confirmed this. It apparently took them a week to write the press release.
This was the second consecutive test failure for these parachutes, as noted in the release.
On 28 May this year, the deployment sequence of all four parachutes was tested for the first time from a height of 29 km – released from a stratospheric helium balloon. While the deployment mechanisms activated correctly, and the overall sequence was completed, both main parachute canopies suffered damage. . . .
On 28 May this year, the deployment sequence of all four parachutes was tested for the first time from a height of 29 km – released from a stratospheric helium balloon. While the deployment mechanisms activated correctly, and the overall sequence was completed, both main parachute canopies suffered damage. . . .
