Drogue parachute

A drogue parachute is a parachute designed to be deployed from a rapidly moving object in order to slow the object, to provide control and stability, or as a pilot parachute to deploy a larger parachute. It was invented in Russia by Gleb Kotelnikov in 1912.

Design and operational characteristics

A drogue parachute is more elongated and has a far smaller area than a conventional parachute and therefore provides less drag. This means that a drogue parachute cannot slow an object as much as a conventional parachute, but it can be deployed at speeds at which conventional parachutes would be torn apart.

The drogue parachute's simpler design allows for easier deployment. Where a conventional parachute could get caught in itself while unfolding or fail to inflate properly (thus not slowing the falling object as much as it should), the drogue parachute will inflate more easily and more reliably to generate the expected amount of drag.

History

The drogue parachute was used for the first time in 1912 by Russian inventor Gleb Kotelnikov, who had introduced the knapsack parachute a year before. On a road near Tsarskoye Selo (now part of St. Petersburg), Kotelnikov successfully demonstrated the braking effects of parachute by accelerating a Russo-Balt automobile to its top speed and then opening a parachute attached to the back seat.

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Latest News for: drogue parachute

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From fireball to splashdown: Sunita Williams' dramatic return to Earth

The Times of India 19 Mar 2025
The spacecraft relied on a parachute system to slow down before splashdown. The system included six parachutes—two drogue parachutes deployed first to stabilize the capsule after it re-entered the atmosphere.
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NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months

Israel Hayom 19 Mar 2025
The extreme atmospheric drag helped slow the vehicle's descent in preparation for parachute deployment. The spacecraft deployed two drogue parachutes at approximately 18,000 feet while traveling at nearly 350 miles per hour.
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All about SpaceX’s ‘Dragon’ capsule bringing Sunita Williams back to Earth from ISS after 9 months

Hindustan Times 18 Mar 2025
Dragon’s parachute system. Dragon features two drogue parachutes to stabilise the spacecraft during reentry and four main parachutes that help slow it down further before landing.
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Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's fiery journey back home: How astronauts return to earth safely

The Times of India 18 Mar 2025
Parachute deploymentWhen the capsule slows down considerably, parachutes deploy to ensure a safe landing. First, small stabilizing drogue chutes open. Then the large main parachutes further decelerate the spacecraft.
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Live updates: NASA astronauts returning off Florida coast this evening on SpaceX Dragon

Tallahassee Democrat 18 Mar 2025
Crew-9 has safely splashed down off the Gulf Coast of Florida!Parachutes deployed! ... SpaceX Dragon spacecraft parachutes ... First the two drogue parachutes will deploy, followed by the four main parachutes.
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