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NASA Video Shows What It's Like To Reenter the Earth's Atmosphere
astroengine writes: In a mesmerizing new video released by NASA, the Dec. 5 reentry of the Orion test space vehicle is chronicled — and it's a phenomenal 10-minute ride from fiery reentry to sudden splashdown into the Pacific Ocean. (YouTube Link.)
For those like me, who just watched the video and didn't understand the point of view 'til quite late on, the camera is pointing back along the direction of flight.
Also, for some reason the video has strange out-of-focus side-pieces that are distracting and annoying. The view itself is gorgeous and amazing.
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That time that it takes for the main chutes to fully open has got to be a real nailbiter.
I could be by design... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...
Nice! (From your link): A slider is a small rectangular piece of fabric with a grommet near each corner used to control the deployment of a "ram-air" parachute. A ram-air parachute has a tendency to open very rapidly. At high velocities, the opening shock from such a rapid deployment can cause damage to the canopy or injury to the jumper. The slider was developed as a way of mitigating this. During deployment, the slider slides down from the canopy to just above the risers. It is slowed by air resistance as it descends and reduces the rate at which the lines can spread and therefore the speed at which the canopy can open and inflate.[1] This invention solved the rapid deployment problem with ram-air designs. Sliders also reduce the chance of the lines twisting to cause a malfunction.
Sliders are not utilized on these parachutes. A reefing line, basically a circular cord holding the skirt of the parachute closed, is cut after a predetermined delay using small timed pyrotechnic cutting charges. These are designed to keep the parachute from overpressurizing and blowing out during high-velocity opening. FYI - I was a parachute & survival equipment specialist in the USAF.
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Space Shuttle attempted to do what you describe, coming as close to that ideal as reentry dynamics would allow. It still required a 40-degree angle of attack during the hot part of deceleration. The final approach may look airliner-like, but the sink rate was something like seven times that of a Boeing, a requirement of the delta-wing design, which in turn was imposed by the need to reenter without stripping off the wings.
The Orion capsule may look like a throwback to the Sixties, but it's the most tolerant, safest design of all.