How does different parachute design affect descent rate?

Parachute design significantly impacts descent rate due to variations in factors such as surface area, shape, and material. The descent rate of a parachute is determined by its ability to create drag, and different designs can optimize this aspect.

When a parachute has a larger surface area or is designed to have a more open profile, it tends to create more drag as it descends, which can slow down the descent rate. Conversely, a smaller or more streamlined parachute design can reduce drag, leading to a faster descent rate.

Thus, parachutes can be specifically designed for different purposes, such as performance, speed, or stability, and each design characteristic influences how quickly or slowly the parachute descends. This is why the correct choice reflects that parachute design can indeed slow down or speed up the descent depending on how they are engineered.