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PARACHUTE (SRB)
Space Shuttle SRB Recovery
Mass
3400 kg
Dimensions
3 mains at 41 m diameter each
Material
Nylon canopy, Kevlar suspension lines
First Use
Apr 12, 1981
Usage Statistics
270
Successful Uses
99%
Success Rate
How It Works
Nose cap separation triggers frustum pilot chute which extracts 16.5 m drogue chute. Drogue stabilizes the tumbling SRB, then extracts three 41 m conical ribbon main parachutes via cluster deployment for ocean splashdown at ~23 m/s.
Key Specifications
Separation altitude46 km
SRB mass at recovery~90,000 kg
Splashdown speed~23 m/s
Total recovered270 (135 missions x 2)
Compatible Vehicles
Space Shuttle SRB
Details
The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster recovery system used three main parachutes to slow each 90-ton SRB for ocean splashdown after separation at 46 km altitude. A frustum-mounted pilot chute extracted a drogue, which then extracted the three 41-meter main chutes. Recovery ships towed the floating boosters back to port for refurbishment and reuse.
External Links
