Parachute Reuse.

[700NitroXpress]

So, I know how to repack parachutes, but whenever you use the parachutes through staging they get stuck in that stage. When I put repacked parachutes into a new stage from the in-flight staging on the left and hit space bar, it doesn't deploy them again. Should it deploy them again if I do this? Is it better to set up an action group for the parachutes instead? Will action grouped parachutes redeploy under another press of their action group hot key after they've been deployed once?

Edited October 30, 2013 by 700NitroXpress

[Dogface]

you can repack parachutes? did not know that

[arq]

Action groups should work for this. Though I always forget to set them up so I end up needing to manually re-deploy.

[JayCheetah]

Like arq said:

Action groups work like a charm, but you will have to remember to set them up.

[jwilhite]

you can repack parachutes? did not know that

First you have to have a Kerbal out on EVA. Then right-click the parachute and choose to repack it. The Kerbal has to be somewhat close to the parachute, but a lot of times you can repack all of your chutes without even getting off the ladder. (Kerbals on EVA can also repair broken rover wheels, BTW.)

[Taki117]

Alternatively, sometimes I run into a dead stage (Where pressing the stage button doesn't do anything) When this happens and the stage I want is next I just hit it again and it works fine.

[Franklin]

First you have to have a Kerbal out on EVA. Then right-click the parachute and choose to repack it. The Kerbal has to be somewhat close to the parachute, but a lot of times you can repack all of your chutes without even getting off the ladder. (Kerbals on EVA can also repair broken rover wheels, BTW.)

And they can repair broken landing struts. These little things are great to know and so few people do.

[Smidge204]

And they can repair broken landing struts. These little things are great to know and so few people do.

Provided, of course, the strut is merely broken and not completely detached from the ship

=Smidge=

[buzzles]

They can repack parachutes?! Why has no-one mentioned that to me before?

*goes off to redesign (lighten) Duna landers*

[700NitroXpress]

Kerbals can repack parachutes, repair broken rover wheels, repair landing struts, and manually use other parts of your ship by right clicking them when the Kerbal is doing EVA.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I think I'll just go for using action groups from now on with the parachutes. I know action groups can be used to activate all parts of a stage without needing to hit the space bar so as long as all the parachutes are at the top of my staging, this should work.

Edited October 30, 2013 by 700NitroXpress