Parachute Design – Safe Landing Is the Priority

Ensuring the safe return of our CanSat to the ground is one of the most critical aspects of our mission. After extensive research and countless discussions, we’ve finalized the design of our parachute. It’s now being sewn, and we’re eager to see it take shape!

Key Features of the Design

Diameter: 50 cm, chosen to provide a controlled descent speed while maintaining stability.
Spill Hole: 10 cm at the center, designed to minimize oscillations and reduce opening shock.
Shape: Hemispherical, a proven design for consistent drag and smooth descent.
Material: 70D ripstop nylon, lightweight and durable, ideal for withstanding the stresses of deployment.

Overcoming the Challenges

One of the biggest challenges has been accounting for extreme conditions. In a worst-case scenario, the parachute could be deployed at speeds of up to 135 km/h, subjecting it to immense forces. To tackle this:

The spill hole was added to reduce the shock load by allowing air to flow through the center.
Reinforced stitching and strong attachment lines are being used to enhance durability.
70D ripstop nylon was specifically chosen for its high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to tearing under stress.

The Design Process

The design process has been a mix of creativity and precision. Using the online tutorials, we meticulously calculated dimensions, selected materials, and refined every detail to create a reliable and efficient parachute.

What’s Next?

With the sewing process underway, we’re preparing for the next critical phase: testing. This will involve:

Conducting drop tests from various heights to evaluate deployment reliability and descent behavior.
Simulating high-speed deployments to ensure the parachute can handle extreme conditions.
Fine-tuning the setup based on test results to optimize performance.

Looking Forward

Finalizing the parachute design is a significant milestone in our journey. It’s a key component of the CanSat, and we’re proud of the effort and precision that went into its creation. Testing will provide valuable insights as we prepare for the mission, and we can’t wait to share our progress with you.