Crafting a CanSat: Making and testing a parachute
Introduction In the realm of satellite technology, ensuring a safe descent back to Earth is as crucial as the mission itself. Our team embarked on a fascinating journey to design a parachute that would allow a satellite to return gently to our planet. This blog post delves into the intricate process of designing, testing, and refining our parachute, sharing the science and the excitement of our engineering adventure.
Calculating the Forces The first step in our parachute design process was to understand the forces at play. We started by calculating the force exerted by the satellite itself, which was 2.943 Newtons. This initial calculation was pivotal, as it set the stage for determining the necessary drag force our parachute needed to generate to counteract the satellite's descent.
Designing the Parachute With the force of the satellite in hand, our next task was to calculate the parachute's required drag. Using the equation �=��⋅�⋅�22⋅�D=2Cd⋅ρ⋅V2⋅A, we deduced that for a descent velocity of 10 m/s, we needed a parachute with a reference area of approximately 338 cm². This calculation assumed a drag coefficient (C_d) of 1.42, akin to that of a concave hemisphere. This meant designing a parachute with a circle diameter of 20.8 cm to achieve the desired aerodynamic properties.
The Testing Phase Our initial tests employed an umbrella roughly 17 times larger than our calculated area, resulting in a slower descent speed of around 4 m/s. Interestingly, the parachute's gentle landing was so precise that it ended up nestled in a birch tree, dozens of meters away from our target. This unexpected result provided us with valuable insights into the parachute's behavior and performance.
Refining Our Design Building on our initial tests, we designed a second parachute featuring a larger spill hole. This modification aimed to achieve a more direct and faster landing without compromising the parachute's integrity. We also equipped this version with a pressure meter and a temperature meter to gather additional data during its descent. Although the larger spill hole didn't significantly impact the descent speed, it served as a valuable proof of concept for future designs.
Looking Ahead Our journey in parachute design is far from over. Inspired by our findings, we're now poised to increase the spill hole diameter further and conduct more tests. Our goal is to refine our design, ensuring that it not only meets but exceeds the requirements for a safe and controlled descent.
Conclusion Designing a parachute for a satellite is a perfect blend of theoretical calculations and hands-on experimentation. Each test flight brings new insights, pushing us closer to our goal of a reliable descent mechanism. As we continue to innovate and test, we remain committed to the spirit of discovery and the relentless pursuit of engineering excellence. Stay tuned for more updates as we soar through the challenges and triumphs of parachute design!