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PARACHUTE (FULL SYSTEM)
Apollo Command Module Parachutes
Mass
250 kg
Dimensions
3 mains at 25.4 m diameter each
Material
Nylon ringsail canopy, Dacron suspension lines
First Use
Feb 26, 1966
Usage Statistics
17
Successful Uses
100%
Success Rate
How It Works
Two mortar-deployed drogue chutes stabilize and slow the capsule from 480 km/h, then three ringsail main parachutes extract via pilot chutes for final deceleration to ~35 km/h ocean splashdown.
Key Specifications
Drogue deploy~7,300 m
Main deploy~3,000 m
Splashdown speed~35 km/h
Missions recovered11 crewed
Compatible Vehicles
Apollo Command Module
Details
The Apollo Command Module parachute recovery system consisted of two drogue chutes and three main ringsail parachutes that brought the capsule to a safe ocean splashdown. The system was designed to be survivable with one main chute failed, as famously demonstrated during Apollo 15 when one of the three main chutes collapsed. The system successfully recovered all 11 crewed Apollo missions.
External Links
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