News Testing Mars parachutes in outdoor wind tunnels.

[garyw]

I didn't realise that that Martian parachutes were getting so big that they didn't have wind tunnels big enough to test them. Crazy/interesting way to test a chute!

 

[dehat42]

They have to get bigger to get heavier objects to land on Mars (like a manned mission).

Another technology they are testing is the HIAD technology (Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator) for return of cargo to Earth and possible use on other planets or moons.

 

[Donamy]

Shouldn't that be done at alot higher altitudes? The air density will be alot less on Mars.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

They're looking at the dynamic pressures, not actual pressures.