Flight Test of Supersonic Parachute Using JAXA’s Research Helicopter

Abstract

In order to check the operation of a parachute deployment subsystem under the environment equivalent to dynamic pressure of Mars entry, to validate the mechanical strength of a supersonic parachute, and to obtain the opening shock and aerodynamic coefficients of parachute under free flight condition, flight test of the supersonic parachute was carried out by using the JAXA’s research helicopter at the Taiki aerospace research field. In the test, the test vehicle equipped with the supersonic parachute was suspended below the helicopter, and was dropped from 600m altitude at sea area 7km offshore of Hamataiki. A supersonic parachute was then deployed automatically after the 3.5 s free flight. The release of parachute was attained by igniting an automobile airbag inflator. A disc-gap-band type parachute was employed as the supersonic parachute in this study. During the flight, flight dynamics of the test vehicle was analyzed by using 3D accelerometers. The tension in parachute riser lines were measured by using load cells. After 22 s flight, the test vehicle splashed down in the ocean, and was recovered by fishing boats.