Parachute

parachute is a canopy that slows the fall of an object or person through the air. The word parachute means “against a fall.”

Parachutes have saved the lives of many pilots who needed to eject from damaged airplanes. Parachutes are used to drop supplies and paratroopers (para­chuting soldiers) from airplanes. Sports parachutists enjoy freefall skydiving. Yet another use for a parachute is as an air­brake, to slow an airplane, spacecraft, or other vehicle as it lands.

A personal parachute is packed in a bag or body pack worn by the para­chutist and attached to a strong harness or supporting rig. After exiting the air­craft, the parachutist opens the para­chute by pulling a handle called the rip­cord. Parachutes also can be opened automatically. When a pilot ejects from a jet plane, for example, the ejector seat mechanism opens the parachute. Brake parachutes for slowing down an airplane are stowed in the tail and open only after the plane has touched down on the runway. A spacecraft parachute opens after reentry into the atmosphere. Other brake parachutes may be automatic or manually deployed.

The canopy is made of a tough, light fabric-silk was traditional, but nylon and other synthetic materials are used today. The traditional shape for a para­chute canopy was a circle, but modern parachutes are usually square or rectangular. The parachutist’s harness

is attached by straps, called risers, to suspension lines around the edge of the canopy. As parachutists float to the ground, they can make turns by tugging on steering lines.