Inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami, or paper cutting, scientists made parachutes that open automatically when dropped. And unlike traditional parachutes, they fall straight down, no matter which way they were originally facing, making their falls more predictable.

A thin disk of Mylar, perforated with a series of concentric slits, expands into an elegant latticework vase as its attached cargo falls. Pulled open by the rush of air, the shape slows the payload’s fall by producing drag.