Parachute

A parachute is a soft fabric device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag. Parachutes are generally used to slow the descent of a person or object to Earth or another celestial body with an atmosphere. Parachutes are also sometimes used to aid horizontal deceleration of a vehicle (an airplane or space shuttle after touchdown, or a drag racer). The word parachute comes from the French words para, protect or shield, and chute, to fall. Therefore parachute actually means to protect from a fall. Many types of modern parachute are quite maneuverable, and can be flown like gliders.

External links

• USPA The United States Parachute Association -- The governing body for sport skydiving in the U.S.
• Dropzone.com the Premier web resource for information on Skydiving, Dropzones and modern parachuting
• National Parachute Test Center - Part of NAF El Centro located near El Centro,California.
• Parachute
• Charity Parachute Jumps Experience skydiving, parachuting and tandem jumps across the UK by raising money for disabled children.