Performance Of A 26 Meter Diameter Ringsail Parachute In A Simulated Martian Environment

Inflation, drag, and stability characteristics of an 85.3-foot (26 meter) nominal diameter ringsail parachute deployed at a Mach number of 1.15 and at an altitude of 132,600 feet (40.42 kilometers) were obtained from the first flight test of the Planetary Entry Parachute Program. After deployment, the parachute inflated to the reefed condition. However, the canopy was unstable and produced low drag in the reefed condition. [remainder of summary illegible].