<p>Parachutes have never been used on the moon, but <a href="http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/spacecraft_edl_parachute.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">they are viable for Mars</a> because <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Mars" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mars <em>does have an atmosphere</em></a> - albiet one much lighter than that of Earth.  For that reason, parachutes cannot be the only means of slowing down on Mars --- for example, in the case of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Curiosity Rover</a>, that's why an elaborate booster and crane combination was used (see figure).  Another approach, taken by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Pathfinder" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pathfinder Rover</a>, was to use large airbags to bounce on landing.</p>

<p>One benefit to using parachutes on Mars, is that they can be used at higher velocities --- unlike on Earth where the heavier atmosphere (and thus stronger drag force) would shred a parachute at comparable speeds.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ESk80.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-10T01:07:06.487Z
Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huygens_(spacecraft)#Parachute
Keith Thompson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-09T17:01:29.070Z
2015-02-09T17:06:48.127Z
2015-02-09T17:06:48.127Z
DilithiumMatrix
<p>Mars landings, Moon landings. . . Wherever I see a documentary or still pictures in Wikipedia, there are parachutes in the landing of rovers. Whenever I see them, I ask myself, "How they can it decelerate the speed of rovers, when there is no / thin air?" Something needs to be there to create friction!  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-09T16:01:53.747Z
I am curious to see a reference where parachutes are used to land on the Moon...
Py-ser
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-09T20:03:08.547Z
now i come to think of it, i haven't ! General assumption !
cowboysaif
<mars><moonlanding>
How are parachutes usable in other places than Earth?
cowboysaif
# How are parachutes usable in other places than Earth?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-09)

Mars landings, Moon landings. . . Wherever I see a documentary or still pictures in Wikipedia, there are parachutes in the landing of rovers. Whenever I see them, I ask myself, "How they can it decelerate the speed of rovers, when there is no / thin air?" Something needs to be there to create friction!

**Tags:** mars, moonlanding

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I am curious to see a reference where parachutes are used to land on the Moon...  
> **username_0**: now i come to think of it, i haven't ! General assumption !  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-02-09. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Parachutes have never been used on the moon, but [they are viable for Mars](http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/spacecraft_edl_parachute.html) because [Mars *does have an atmosphere*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Mars) - albiet one much lighter than that of Earth. For that reason, parachutes cannot be the only means of slowing down on Mars --- for example, in the case of the [Curiosity Rover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory), that's why an elaborate booster and crane combination was used (see figure). Another approach, taken by the [Pathfinder Rover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Pathfinder), was to use large airbags to bounce on landing.

One benefit to using parachutes on Mars, is that they can be used at higher velocities --- unlike on Earth where the heavier atmosphere (and thus stronger drag force) would shred a parachute at comparable speeds.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ESk80.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huygens_(spacecraft)#Parachute  

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