First of all, we would like to credit the design and basic technique of these parachutes to Rocket Team Vatsaas. We began making these parachutes using the tutorial on their web site, and still use the sizing calculator today. With that said all of the rest of the credit for these amazing parachutes goes to top rocket mom/wife Susan. She has put countless hours into making these enormous parachutes just to feed Jay and Jacob's large rocket addiction.

The first parachute Susan ever made was a 10 foot parachute and just like every one since it came out beautifully. The next step was a pair of 16 footers for Jay's Level 3 Project, the 12x Alpha 3. The parachutes were then used again on Jacob's Level 2/3 project, the 8x Tristar. The parachutes deploy perfectly every time, and are far more affordable than anything commercially available. If you have a sewing machine and a bit of determination it is a project that is certainly within reach. Then you too can bring down your rockets in style, or if you have a willing wife or significant other it is a great way to get them involved. They are even good enough to bring down everyone's favorite drake.

The fabric we use for all of our parachutes is a blue rip-stop nylon, from SAS Fabrics by the Pound, a surplus fabric store in Tucson, Az. We are not picky on color since the price is right and it is good strong material. For our shroud lines we use a flat webbing from Summit Hut, a climbing and outdoor supply store. Everything else is pretty much personal preference as far as technique. The patterns for the panels are made out of 1/8 masonite from home depot. We use the sizing calculator from Rocket Team Vatsaas to determine the grid size we need to lay out then cut the shape with a jig saw. The patterns are then traced onto the nylon and cut out. Our most recent parachutes are for the 14x Gemini DC and are 20 feet in diameter. We will be using 6 of them to bring that project down safely. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. If you have any questions contact us, and we will be sure to get the right answers from the woman in charge.

Basically the parachutes use 8 panels, 4 large and 4 small. They are very similar in design to rocketman parachutes. All seams are sewn on the inside and most are reinforced with a thin nylon strip. The shroud lines are sewn onto the corners, and up the sides at least 12 inches for added strength. This is one of the 20 foot parachutes in a light wind at a Tripoli Vegas launch. Jacob is holding the parachute, while he does everything in his power to keep from being pulled off his feet. These parachutes have some major stopping power and we couldn't do any of our large rockets without them. We have never had one fail, unless there was an electronics error, and they even survive pretty well when deployed at terminal velocity. We owe a lot to Susan and her super-chutes.