40 votes
Accepted

Wouldn't it make sense to use parachutes for aborting test flights rather than destroying the whole rocket?

The ability to successfully deploy a parachute still requires some level of stability or control, it's simply not an option for a badly out-of-control rocket. In cases where something goes wrong, the ...
Nuclear Hoagie's user avatar
16 votes

Wouldn't it make sense to use parachutes for aborting test flights rather than destroying the whole rocket?

great question, and it is similar thinking that led SpaceX to attempt to land rockets for re-use. In this case though I don't think it would be safe or practical to attempt recovery of a launch ...
Grandpa's user avatar
  • 161
13 votes

Wouldn't it make sense to use parachutes for aborting test flights rather than destroying the whole rocket?

I think the average person doesn't quite realize how much parachute is needed for even a relatively small piece of machinery. When the military drops a humvee out of an airplane, a vehicle weighing ...
Darth Pseudonym's user avatar
8 votes
Accepted

How actually dangerous was RTLS for the Space Shuttle?

tl;dr it was very dangerous I would love to quote a document that says "we compute there was a 57.4356% chance of successfully completing an RTLS abort"...but I'm pretty sure that document ...
Organic Marble's user avatar
2 votes

Gemini Ejection seat usage during late stages of reentry

After going trough multiple documents and sources related to the Gemini ejection system I found a few sources which quote or have a small reference to the situation mentioned in the question. Gemini ...
Jeroen Smink's user avatar
  • 1,134
2 votes

Wouldn't it make sense to use parachutes for aborting test flights rather than destroying the whole rocket?

Two issues that have not been adequately addressed in the existing answers: A range safety system should cover all phases of flight, and in particular when the rocket is fully-fueled. While we have ...
DrSheldon's user avatar
  • 47.9k
2 votes

Wouldn't it make sense to use parachutes for aborting test flights rather than destroying the whole rocket?

Before SpaceX started the rocket propelled landing system for Falcon 9 they tried to land the empty boosters with parachutes. It proved very challenging, so they decided to go for rocket landed ...
PearsonArtPhoto's user avatar
  • 121k
2 votes
Accepted

SpaceX Super Heavy booster: Is it publicly known whether the failure of one engine to start prior to liftoff will result in a pad abort?

According to remarks from Mr. Musk summarized in an article on Ars Technica, at least for the test flight on 4/20/23, the vehicle was allowed to lift off with three engines out, which was the maximum ...
Organic Marble's user avatar

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