An introduction to testing parachutes in wind tunnels

Conference · Sat Aug 17 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · AIAA Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1991-858· OSTI ID:6101577

Macha, J. Michael ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

This paper reviews some of the technical considerations and current practices for testing parachutes in conventional wind tunnels. Special challenges to the experimentalist caused by the fabric construction, flexible geometry, and bluff shape of parachutes are discussed. In particular, the topics of measurement technique, similarity considerations, and wall interference are addressed in a summary manner. Many references are cited which provide detailed coverage of the state of the art in testing methods.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6101577
• Report Number(s): SAND-91-0531C; AIAA-91-0858; CONF-9104171-6; ON: DE91009166
• Journal Information: AIAA Journal, Conference: 11. AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference, San Diego, CA (United States), 9-11 Apr 1991
• Publisher: AIAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PARACHUTES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
AIR FLOW
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONSTRAINTS
COST
DRAG
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
FLIGHT TESTING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
SCALE MODELS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WALLS
WIND TUNNELS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
PLANNING
STRUCTURAL MODELS
TESTING
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
450000* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense