Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto
Nope.
NASA et al have already done this with fabric, self-inflating. Although not a perfect shape, it is pretty good and gets most of the aero benefit at very little cost or complexity.
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Essentially, it works on the very same principle as a parachute: catch air and inflate, then generate a lot of drag.
While you may see an overall improvement because the appropriately-shaped parachute improves the lousy aerodynamics of the vehicle, you'll still lose a fair deal of the potential improvement to the drag the parachute needs to keep inflated.