Parachute


A parachute is a device used to slow down the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of spacecraft, aerodynamic braking. It consists of a canopy made of fabric, which is attached to a harness worn by a person or to the spacecraft itself. When deployed, the canopy opens and creates a large surface area that interacts with the atmosphere, slowing down the descent of the object. Parachutes are commonly used in space missions to slow down spacecraft during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, allowing them to land safely on the ground. They are also used in the deployment of scientific instruments and equipment from high-altitude balloons and in the recovery of astronauts and cosmonauts after they return to Earth.


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