Question about Shuttle drag chute

[1cooldaddyo]

A question for the shuttle experts from my 5year old daughter. Why do they cut the chute loose on roll out?

 

[drwayne]

I am sure there is a better answer out there than this but:<br /><br />Once a shuttle has slowed to a certain point, the chute has done its job. Beyond that point, it just adds a risk of getting snagged in/on something, so it is separated.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[halman]

newsartist,<br /><br />Perhaps it is so that the chute will fall to the ground stretched out, rather than in a tangled bundle. Also, the chute would get in the way of the ground service vehicles which surround the orbiter once it has stopped. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[1cooldaddyo]

Thanks guys. This child is really challenging my knowledge of space and rockets (that's a good thing <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ).

 

[vogon13]

If the wind whipped the 'chute around it could wind up in the APU exhaust and be contaminated.<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

I was under the impression there was usually a tad of unreacted hydrazine in the exhaust.<br /><br />You're not kidding about the heat, the infrared shots of the shuttle landing always show the plumes pulsing at the base of the tail. <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[trailrider]

Virtually all aircraft landing drag chutes used in conjunction with high-energy-landings (jets coming in fast, B-52's which have a lot of mass) are "dumped" after the speed on roll-out reaches a certain point. That is not to say it is necessarily automatic (I don't know about the Shuttle), but usually just jetisoned by flipping a toggle switch in the cockpit.<br /><br />The main reason is to keep the damage to the chute and risers to a minimum and keep it from tangling with the aircraft and itself. In the case of the Shuttle, as was posted, it is also to keep it away from the APU eshaust. By dropping the chute on the runway, it is much easier for the recovery crew to pick up for refurbishment and repacking. They don't have to worry much about contamination (although they probably carry sniffers, just to be sure), or whatever.<br /><br />Glad to hear about your daughter's interest. Keep her exposed to as much of the spaceflight events, science and mathematics as possible. She could be in line for one of the lunar expeditions or even a flight to Mars, whether as a crew member or somewhere in the building or mission control crews! This is where and when we "get" them, NOT waiting until they are in high school or college!<br /><br />Happy Holidays to all!<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!

 

[trailrider]

Roger, that, Shuttle Guy! Appreciate it. <br /><br />For those who aren't familiar with the call signs for the Commander and co-pilot, they are addressed: "Cee-Dee Arr" (C-D-R), for Commander, and "Pee-El-Tee" (P-L-T) for Pilot (co-pilot). You can hear these terms used on the NASA feeds.<br /><br />Happy Holidays to all!<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!