Supersonic Parachute of NASA for the Mars 2020 Mission

Supersonic parachute of NASA for the

Question: With its Supersonic Parachute NASA created world record as being able to deploy how much amount of mass aiming for Mars 2020 mission?
(a) 28000 kg
(b) 37000 kg
(c) 20000 kg
(d) 17000 kg
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

  • On September 7, 2018 NASA launched its Supersonic Parachute in 58 -foot-tall (17.7-metre) Black Brant IX rocket.
  • Aiming for Mars 2020 mission, with this Supersonic Parachute NASA created world record as being able to deploy 37,000 kg experimental load upon the surface of earth. It is 85-percent higher load than what scientists would expect the Mars 2020 parachute to encounter during its deployment in Mars’ atmosphere. The parachute deployed said load at twice the speed of sound just in four-tenths of a second. The parachute made of Nylon, Technora and Kevlar fibres.


  • According to NASA, in less than two minutes after the launch of the rocket a payload separated and began its dive back through Earth’s atmosphere towards the surface.
  • It was the third and final test flight of the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) project.
  • The ASPIRE tests have shown in remarkable detail how our parachute will react when it is first deployed into a supersonic flow high above Mars.
  • The 37,000-kg load was the highest ever survived by a supersonic parachute.

Links:
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/third-aspire-test-confirms-mars-2020-parachute-a-go
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/nasa-sets-world-record-with-mars-2020-parachute-118103000200_1.html