How NASA tests Orion's deep space parachutes

Why NASA intentionally triggers mid-air failures

Orion Program Manager Mark Kirasich explains how engineers intentionally sabotage components during test drops to ensure crew survival in worst-case scenarios.

Why NASA Intentionally Fails Parachute Tests

Mach 32 reentry comes down to this single moment

Astronaut Randy Bresnik outlines the grueling journey back from deep space at Mach 32 and explains why the capsule parachutes are the ultimate lifeline.

The Most Terrifying Moment of Space Reentry

12 seconds of pure freefall before deployment

Astronaut Randy Bresnik describes how Orion drops from a cargo plane and falls for 12 seconds before parachute deployment initiates.

The 12-Second Freefall NASA Holds Its Breath For

Parachute hardware lead Jared Daum explains how 10 support parachutes and 11 Orion parachutes work together to extract the capsule from an aircraft and simulate reentry conditions.

Why NASA Needs 21 Parachutes for One Test

From 17,500 mph to 0 mph: The Orion landing sequence

Jared Daum details the reentry sequence from atmospheric braking at 25,000 feet to drogue deployment and main chute stabilization before ocean splashdown.

Slowing Down from 17,500 MPH to Touchdown

Apollo used steel parachutes. Orion uses Kevlar.

NASA engineer Jared Daum explains how parachute technology evolved from heavy Apollo-era steel risers to modern Kevlar lines and advanced digital simulation.

Why NASA Replaced Steel Parachutes with Kevlar

Mid-air extraction of the Orion test vehicle

Extraction parachutes pull the Orion test pallet out of a cargo plane, setting up the capsule for stabilization and simulated atmospheric freefall.

Live Mid-Air Extraction of the Orion Test Vehicle

12-second freefall to main parachute inflation

The test vehicle completes a 12-second freefall before jettisoning its forward bay cover, opening dual drogues, and deploying its massive three main parachutes.

Freefall to Main Parachute Deployment

Why NASA deliberately cuts holes in parachutes

A NASA engineer reveals how geometric porosity stabilizes parachutes to prevent chaotic swinging and ultimately increase drag.

Why NASA Puts Holes in Space Parachutes

A test specialist outlines how chutes are engineered to deploy at 350 miles per hour from high altitude or immediately during a pad abort.

Surviving 350 MPH Reentry vs Launch Pad Aborts

[03:00] Why NASA Intentionally Fails Parachute Tests
[05:22] The Most Terrifying Moment of Space Reentry
[05:59] The 12-Second Freefall NASA Holds Its Breath For
[07:14] Why NASA Needs 21 Parachutes for One Test
[09:29] Slowing Down from 17,500 MPH to Touchdown
[10:35] Why NASA Replaced Steel Parachutes with Kevlar
[12:53] Live Mid-Air Extraction of the Orion Test Vehicle
[13:38] Freefall to Main Parachute Deployment
[15:27] Why NASA Puts Holes in Space Parachutes
[18:33] Surviving 350 MPH Reentry vs Launch Pad Aborts

How NASA tests Orion's deep space parachutes

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