The picture below shows the Apollo spacecraft that took astronauts to the Moon in 1969. The spacecraft weighed 6.1 million pounds, and its motors produced 7.5 million pounds of thrust.



When the spacecraft returned to Earth, it slowed until a parachute could be opened for a landing at sea. Which of the following best explains how the spacecraft slowed down for a safe landing?
a
The parachute created a downward force to resist the downward force of gravity.
b
The parachute created an upward force to resist the upward force of gravity.
c
The parachute created an upward force to resist the downward force of gravity.
d
The parachute created a downward force to resist the upward force of gravity.