Make the Mk25 parachute bigger than the Mk12

[THX1138]

According to the stats, the Mk25 has diameter 6.3 while the Mk12 has diameter 7.7. This seems like a mistake because

a) the Mk25 is more expensive (400 vs 150)

b) the Mk25 is physically bigger

c) the Mk25 has greater mass (0.2 vs 0.075)

d) the analogous Mk16-XL has greater diameter than the Mk2 which makes sense because it's a more expensive, bigger, heavier part.

 

Currently there is no reason to use the Mk25 because of a), b) and c) while it is less effective at slowing a craft.

[overkill13]

Hmm.  I've never seen that before.  Then again I NEVER use the Mk25 because it's ugly, looks non aerodynamic and inline mounting is seldom a desirable location for my drogue chutes especially in a 1.25m stack.  The Mk25 does have a higher minimum safe deploy speed but probably should switch the semi and fully deployed diameters on those parts so it at least makes some sense.

[TBenz]

Let's take a peek at the config files, shall we?

  Reveal hidden contents

Mk25:

MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleParachute
        semiDeployedDrag = 4
        fullyDeployedDrag = 170
        chuteMaxTemp = 1600
        machHeatMultBase = 0.25
        chuteThermalMassPerArea = 0.09
    }

 

Mk12-R:

MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleParachute
        semiDeployedDrag = 2
        fullyDeployedDrag = 100
        chuteMaxTemp = 1100
        machHeatMultBase = 0.5
        chuteThermalMassPerArea = 0.08
    }

*Some superflous entries have been removed, which are identical between both chutes.

Note that the Mk25 has twice the amount of Semi Deployed Drag and 1.7 times the amount of Fully Deployed Drag, while also heating up slower (machHeatMultBase is lower and chuteThermalMassPerArea is higher) and can withstand a higher maximum heat.

So, despite what the radius values may lead you to believe, the Mk25 does actually function as a more powerful parachute, and in addition, can handle hotter (faster) speeds.

[THX1138]

  On 8/28/2019 at 4:42 AM, TBenz said:

Let's take a peek at the config files, shall we?

  Reveal hidden contents

Mk25:

MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleParachute
        semiDeployedDrag = 4
        fullyDeployedDrag = 170
        chuteMaxTemp = 1600
        machHeatMultBase = 0.25
        chuteThermalMassPerArea = 0.09
    }

 

Mk12-R:

MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleParachute
        semiDeployedDrag = 2
        fullyDeployedDrag = 100
        chuteMaxTemp = 1100
        machHeatMultBase = 0.5
        chuteThermalMassPerArea = 0.08
    }

*Some superflous entries have been removed, which are identical between both chutes.

Note that the Mk25 has twice the amount of Semi Deployed Drag and 1.7 times the amount of Fully Deployed Drag, while also heating up slower (machHeatMultBase is lower and chuteThermalMassPerArea is higher) and can withstand a higher maximum heat.

So, despite what the radius values may lead you to believe, the Mk25 does actually function as a more powerful parachute, and in addition, can handle hotter (faster) speeds.

Expand  

Thanks. I guess they should just fix the VAB specs so match the config files.