Spherical Parachute Patterns
These patterns can be used to create hemisphere parachutes for model rockets or egg drops. Instructions for constructing the parachutes can be found in the May/June 2000 newsletter of the Northern Illinois Rocketry Association.
The article describes the construction of 12 inch diameter parachute with 8 gores and a 2 inch diameter spill hole. This web page will produce patterns for other sizes of parachutes.
My daughter used this pattern to create a 16 inch diameter hemisphere parachute with a 1 inch spill hole for an egg drop in her eighth grade science class. Her egg was one of two that survived a 30 foot drop.
A hemisphere parachute has twice the drag of a comparable sized parasheet style parachute made from a flat sheet of plastic. A spill hole will reduce the drag of the parachute, but will cause a more stable descent.
The length of the parachute shroud lines should be 1 1/2 times the diameter of the parachute.
Please check your print settings before printing the pattern. Acrobat Reader should be set to print Actual Size.
Larger parachure patterns may print over several pages.
So what size parachute do you need? Let's find out.
Weight of payload in ounces:
Create a Parachute Pattern