PARACHUTE CONSTRUCTION
1) Lay your trash bag out flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles. Cut the bottom off.
2) Fold the bag in half by bringing the long sides together.
3) Fold the bag in half the other way (short sides together).
4) If you examine the edges, you will notice that two edges consist of folds, while the other two are made
up of cut/free edges. Take the folded edges and align them with one another. This will require you to
make a diagonal fold.
5) Flip it over and fold diagonally once again so that the folded (not the cut) edges align. This will make a
long, skinny triangle
6) Flip this over and repeat the above folding one more time – folded edges aligned with each other. This
will make the triangle skinnier.
7) Examine the wide end of the triangle and look for the fold/flap closest to the point of the triangle. Cut
this end off square at this point.
8) Open up the triangle. You should have a two circle with 16 folds. Separate the two layers.
9) Measure ¾ of an inch in from the perimeter edge of the circle (along each fold line) and make a dot
with your sharpie.
10) Place hole reinforcements over each dot and then cover each reinforcements with packing tape. Each
piece of tape should be approximately 2 inches long and should go all the way to the edge of the chute.
Try to keep the material smooth and flat as you do this.
11) Measure the chute diameter and multiply this by 1.4. This is how long your shroud lines should be.
Measure out 16 pieces of string and tie them together at one end in a large knot.
12) Poke a hole through the center of each reinforcement, feed a string through this hole, and tie off with
several knots. Repeat this for all 16 lines.
13) Attach the knotted end of your parachute to the top of your rocket as well as to the string securing the
nose cone.
14) Two fold your parachute, lay it flat and fold it in half. All the lines should be on one side. Continue
folding in this manner until you have a long skinny triangle. Fold the parachute from the pointy end
towards the lines in a zigzag or fan-fold fashion (back and forth). Lightly wrap the parachute with the
lines several times.