Small and Large parachutes

[Synapse]

Why use a large parachute when they have the same stats as the smaller ones?

[SRV Ron]

Actually, it doesn't. The small chute is designed for the one Kerbal capsule and its larger cousin for the three Kerbal capsule.

[Synapse]

Explain "designed"? What is the statistical difference between the two?

[J.Random]

Explain "designed"? What is the statistical difference between the two?

Basically, the more parachute weighs, the more effective it is.

[Spooks]

you have a drag parachute to slow a bit down and for pointing the good way and one for slow a lot so you use the drag one's first and another one second

[comham]

Well, the game is still in alpha. Stat balancing comes later.

[Stelith61]

Weight. Parachutes are heavy.

Also, Smaller chutes give less drag in game, but not in the stats.

[Frederf]

The answer is that the "drag" stat is "drag ratio." Two parts with drag=1.0 do not have the same aerodynamic drag force in the same atmosphere at the same speed unless they are the same mass.

[arq]

The 'drag factor' (which is the same for both, yes), gets scaled by the weight of the object. So the large chute, weighing X (3?) times as much, has X times the drag.