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This answer notes that Voskhod:

...added a small solid-fuel rocket to the parachute lines. It fired as the descent module neared touchdown, providing a softer landing.

How exactly did they safely and reliably add a "solid-fuel rocket to the parachute lines"? I'm thinking that the rocket's exhaust could burn and sever the line directly below, defeating the purpose.

uhoh
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1 Answers1

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I found a diagram that explains it better than words. The landing rocket module was at the base of the parachute lines, not above them:

enter image description here

The linkage appears to be hinged, but I'm guessing it's a solid piece of metal rather than easily-burned fiber.

According to Space Biology & Medicine: Space and its Exploration, the capsule would be falling at 7-8 m/s (~25 fps) on the parachutes, and the rocket would slow it to 3-5 m/s (~13 fps), so impact would have been survivable, if not pleasant, if the rockets didn't activate for any reason.

Russell Borogove
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