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11 parachutes in 3 stages? Now that is some serious engineering.

http://news.discovery.com/space/private-spaceflight/final-co...

This looks so complex BUT it is coming in so fast (20,000 MPH) into the atmosphere BUT there are so many points for failure. Surprised there wasn't a simpler and safer solution.

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IIRC Space X is going with small rockets to slow decent instead of parachutes. Or in addition to parachutes? I wonder if that would be applicable for the required dV. Or if that is even safer.

The goal is an eventual "soft landing" on a rocket, which isn't feasible with parachutes. Such a rocket could be landed in a specific location, refilled with fuel, and be available for relaunch fairly quickly.

"Dragon V2 will initially conclude missions under her parachutes, prior to a later switch to a fully propulsive landing."

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/08/dragon-v2-rely-parach...

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