Quote:
Originally Posted by botsapper
Always wondered why both New Shepard and Falcon 9 don't use simple, reliable, inexpensive and lightweight drogue (big enough to slow down but small enough not to drift off course) chutes to help with descent stability and control of their re-useable rockets. If military parachute cargo drops and expert skydivers can pinpoint their landings consistently, why can't they apply their control expertise to their return systems. Maybe adding another 'failure' complexity.
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Parachute airdrop-delivery systems use GPS steering, but cannot provide 100% control (no thrust or propulsion), so 100% landing accuracy is NOT fully achievable. They were tested at YPG back in the 1980's with varable results.