Safe Parachute Opening: CLES-FACIL uses Strain Gauges from HBM on board an experimental Rocket

Detrona Project: Measuring the force from a parachute

The task of the 2011 rocket "Detrona" from CLES-FACIL was, amongst other things, to find out the force that the opening of a parachute exerts on a rocket. This value before now was only ever formally calculated and never actually measured. Therefore the exact knowledge of this value is of great importance to Rocket makers because: The opening of a parachute causes a "shock" to the Rocket, which, in this case, could cause irreparable damage to the complete Rocket construction.

The Fusex Detrona is just short of 2 meters in length, with a diameter of 120mm and a weight of 10Kg. Parts of the rocket are transparent Polycarbonate in order for the installation of an on board camera to shoot 360°. In addition to this, a parachute is mounted, from which the force measurement will be taken.

Successful test flight and acquirement of measurement data

The test flight, within which the Detrona Rocket was equipped with the strain gauges and telemetric system, was very successful. The Rocket reached a height of over 1000 meters. The opening of the parachute proved reliable and precise. Through the telemetric system the team collected all the relevant measurement data, and showed that the maximal force, which was exerted at the opening of the parachute, was 1210 Newtons.

The graph shows the development of force, which was measured during the Rocket flight. The different stages from the start of the flight to the expansion of the parachute are clearly identifiable.

The measured value from the flight helped the CLES-FACIL team in further developments and was also recognised in the field of aerospace. So much so that, due to the project Detrona, the CLES-FACIL won the first prize in the 2011 "Planète Sciences" C'Space competition for the third time. Moreover, a further prize was won the "Thalès Alenia Space" hosted by the French Air and Space-Travel association GIFAS.

Click here for reports of the Detrona project (In French)