...
We conducted a quick survey to determine the best way to pack the main parachute. We experimented with four different packing methods. We began the first three by following Section 9.5.1 in Poynter, "General Canopy Pleating Instructions." In general, we found the canopy pleating process to be much easier than the Raziel legacy, full canopy folding method. One specific advantage is that it required less space for integration (we lined up 3 narrow tables in the Unified Lounge, but the integration table in lab could just as easily be used, assuming has been cleaned and has fresh paper). Another advantage is that, unlike the legacy procedure, the shroud lines remain almost entirely stationary during packing, which reduces the number of tangles introduced in the process.
When trying out all of the methods, we used sand bags from lab as parachute "shot bags" to flatten the canopy. We always kept the lines out of the deployment bag, as we do not plan to pack the lines within the bag for Project Hermes.
Method 1: Pleating + Vertical Z Fold
...
One big benefit of this configuration is that the parachute acts like a spring and wants to push itself out of the deployment bag, which is probably why it took so little force to pull it out. In comparison, the parachute pushes circumferentially on the deployment bag in method 1. This will increase the hoop stress on the deployment bag and expand it, thereby making it more difficult to pull out of the cup, and then making the parachute more difficult to pull out of the bag.
Method 3 Rolled
A little lumpy
Comes out in a spiral/twisted
2.5 lb max
Raziel Legacy
3.74 lb
much easier without packing the shroud lines in.
...
Again we followed the pleating method from Poynter. We then rolled the canopy up, starting at the apex/vent. When it was finally packed, it was a little lumpy inside the deployment bag. It took about 2.5 lb at maximum to pull the deployment bag off of the canopy. A big downside to this configuration is that the canopy comes out as a spiral/twisted, which will result in unequal load distribution during canopy opening.
Raziel Legacy
For our last
Drogue Parachute
Resources
...