Experiment 7 – Back to Earth/Safe Landings

Many alternatives can be found for recovery systems for the entire rocket, or for a payload (such as a satellite). Parachutes are the most common. Try taping a paper cup with the bottom removed and placing a small parachute with a weight attached which will drop out as the rocket “turns over” at apogee. Or, using part of a black bin liner as Dr Foster does in the video below, and recover the whole rocket.

• Make a simple parachute from a 300mm diameter circle of thin polythene. Cut 3 x 450 mm lengths of strong thread and stick with a disc of strong sticky tape.
• Attach the parachute to the bottle with three more discs of strong tape. Rocket in descent position.
• Tuck the shroud lines (the thread) under the chute and pull the chute down over the nose of the rocket for launch. Place the rocket in launch position.

Watch this video from 46:24 – 52:53 where Dr Simon Foster talks about parachutes.

How Astronauts Get Home from Space