Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small parachute used to slow down or stabilize a fast-moving object: A "drogue chute" is a type of parachute deployed first to reduce speed and provide stability before the deployment of a larger, main parachute. It is commonly used in aerospace, such as for spacecraft, high-speed aircraft, or racing vehicles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The experimental aircraft deployed a drogue chute to slow its descent before the main parachute opened.
  • During re-entry, the capsule's drogue chute stabilized its orientation.

Advanced Usage

• "to deploy the drogue chute": to activate or release the small stabilizing parachute.
  • The pilot had to deploy the drogue chute to manage the aircraft's high-speed dive.

Variants and Related Words

• Drogue (noun): A device, often a parachute or a sea anchor, used for slowing or stabilizing motion. "Drogue chute" is a specific type of drogue.
  • The boat used a drogue to maintain its position in the heavy seas.
• Drogue parachute (noun): A full synonym for "drogue chute."

Synonyms

• Deceleration parachute: A parachute whose primary function is to reduce speed.
• Drag parachute: A parachute used to create drag and slow an object.
• Stabilizer chute: A parachute used to stabilize the attitude of a vehicle.

Related Phrases

• Pilot chute: A small parachute used to pull out (deploy) a larger parachute from its pack. While similar in function to a drogue chute in some contexts, a pilot chute's primary role is deployment, whereas a drogue chute's primary role is deceleration and stabilization.

Noun

1. a parachute used to decelerate an object that is moving rapidly