Good observations @Rodread. I intended to investigate very high drag parachute kites based on parasails, Rogallo rescues…, for improving the power/area for tether-aligned AWES. Then I tried to see if trains of these kites was a possibility, being based on the Chinese parachute-based AWES.
For symmetrical parachute kites (toys flying like parasails) I had this problem: to solve it I installed a central line in each parachute except the upper parachute, and in the extension of the tether, in order to avoid deformations caused by traction on the upper stage.
In one way or another, it is necessary to block the longitudinal extension of the parachute: this is what the Chinese team did with more suitable means such as pods blocking and sliding alternately in order to achieve the reel-out and reel-in phases.
I think that for single line Rogallo kites, we should have a third group of suspension lines whose lines end at the central “keel” or “spine” over its entire length, then leave again joining the Rogallo kite above, and so on. This would perhaps allow:
- to create a train of Rogallo kites;
- to sketch a depower system for reel-in phase, in yo-yo mode, releasing the two other group of suspension lines.