Mine (Cirrus) was on a 24" chute, with a measured descent rate of 25 feet per second, and a descent time of around 500 seconds. If I were to try it again, I'd probably go a bit smaller, more around an 18". Not sure I'd try a streamer alone though.

i actually used 2 small 12 inch chutes and it came down right over the ridge on the left of the windmill.... took an hour to find but got it back with the phenolic broken a little right above the coupler.... INFERIOR POTASSIUM will fly again!

I used a single 15" chute for "Beyond Consolation" which is roughly the same size. I reefed it, so it was probably more like 12".

I figure if it can withstand the stress of an I600, coming in at 30-35 fps is no big thing 😀

I'm planning an 18" PML chute (huge spill hole) on an I altitude attempt sometime this summer (You aren't safe John ;))

Let's just say that my current sim puts me in excess of the current Tripoli record 😀

I'm planning an 18" PML chute (huge spill hole) on an I altitude attempt sometime this summer (You aren't safe John ;))

Let's just say that my current sim puts me in excess of the current Tripoli record 😀

THAT IS AWESOME! I am glad we have some more altitude geeks coming out of the woodwork.

For my part, my "I" rocket is now undergoing some tweaks... possibly resulting in more altitude -- or possibly resulting in a shred. I like to tiptoe to the edge, so to speak. Next time it will be shorter, closer to optimal mass, a bit less static margin, hopefully a bit warmer at the launch site, etc. I did not get a precisely vertical boost, though if you work out the math that didn't hurt me all that much. For now, I wanted to make sure the fins were on straight, see if the airframe could take 75 gees, etc.

So far, so good........

On my SSSS and J-570 i am going to use a 16-18 chute big spill hole. When your fins can withstand mach 1.5 ish it can usually handle a descent of 30 fps.

Have any of you tried cross shaped chutes?

I was going to have my daughter sew me some to test out.

I should have 2-29s and a 38 ready for the July launch. Possibly two 38s, but not holding my breath.

@ Mule

I haven't recovered with x-shaped chutes but I have watched many of them on large mortor flares with the Army. Decent is like any other round chute just make sure to calculate the descent rates for the amount of actual material you use. One unique thing I have noticed is that they collapse well on the ground are much less likely to wind-inflate and drag your rocket down range. 😀

Cheers,

John

This is one of my favorite photograph from on board a rocket. It uses an X-form chute.

Doug