Main Parachute
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.
Method 1: Pleating + Vertical Z Fold
A general picture of the final configuration is shown below.
After following the pleating instructions, z fold the canopy, making sure that the apex/vent hole ends on the closed end of the deployment bag (where it is closest to the connection point). It was very easy to pack the parachute inside the deployment bag. We secured the ends of the shroud lines (which were not packed in the bag but rather laid out flat). and pulled on the top of the bag with a fish scale to determine the max load necessary to pull the main parachute out. We found that it took approximately 7.2 lbs at maximum to pull the main parachute out.
Overall, this was the easiest and most orderly of all configurations to pack. On the other hand, it had the maximum amount of force required to pull it out. Here is a picture of what it looked like after we pulled the deployment bag off slowly:
Method 2 Bunched/Transverse Z-Fold
2 lb
very small (see pic w/ quicklink)
Method 3 Rolled
A little limpy
Comes out in a spiral/twisted
2.5 lb max
Raziel Legacy
3.74 lb
much easier without packing the shroud lines in.
Drogue Parachute
Resources
Dan Poynter, The Parachute Manual: A Technical Treatise on Aerodynamic Decelerators, 3rd ed.